U.S. Stocks Close Slightly Lower; Energy, Health Care Weigh

U.S. stocks closed slightly lower on Thursday, pulled down by weak health-care and energy shares amid a slump in oil prices. The market struggled to hold on to the gains from Wednesday's sharp rally, after the Federal Reserve signaled a December rate hike remains a strong possibility. Healthcare, the worst performer of the S&P 500 10 sectors, closed down 1.6%. The energy sector was the second-worst performer with a 1.3% decline. The S&P 500 closed 2 points, or 0.1%, lower at 2,081. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 4 points, or less than 0.1%, to 17,7333. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day down 2 points, or less than 0.1%, at 5,074.

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