(CNBC) U.S. stocks closed higher Thursday, stabilizing after a steep sell-off, helped by some recovery in oil prices and comments from Fed policymakers that indicated possibility of an even more gradual pace of tightening. ( Tweet This )
The major averages ended off session highs, but up more than 1 percent for the day for their best day since Dec. 4. The S&P 500 was on track to end the week unchanged but down nearly 6 percent for the year so far.
The Dow Jones industrial average closed about 225 points higher. The index briefly gained 330 points in afternoon trade, with Chevron and Exxon Mobil contributing the most to gains.
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