(CNBC) Equities closed mostly flat on Thursday as energy stocks put a lid on the broader market.
The Dow Jones industrial average closed about 8 points lower, with Caterpillar and Chevron contributing the most losses. The 30-stock index fell more than 100 points at session lows before recovering most losses.
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite ended the session mostly flat.
U.S. oil plunged below $46 a barrel, hitting a five-month low after data showed a smaller-than-expected decline in U.S. inventories.
