(CNBC) U.S.stocks closed lower in light volume trade Thursday, the last day of 2015, despite some stabilization in oil prices.
The S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average both ended lower for the year, their worst since 2008. The Nasdaq composite closed up more than 5.5 percent for the year as biotech stocks and major tech names outperformed.
The Russell 2000 and Dow transports also had their worst year since 2008.
Selling accelerated into the close, with the Dow closing about 180 points lower. The S&P 500 ended nearly 1 percent lower on the day, with energy the only sector clinging to slight gains as oil settled higher, but remaining near multi-year lows.