U.S. Stocks End Lower As ECB Leaves Policy On Hold

U.S. stocks ended lower on Thursday after the European Central Bank failed to announce an extension of its program of asset purchases beyond March 2017, disappointing some who had expected the central bank to extent its program of asset purchases. A sharp rise in oil prices helped boost energy shares, helping to curb declines on the S&P 500 . The index slipped 4.95 points, or 0.2%, to 2,181.22, with the biggest losses coming from the technology sector. The Dow industrials finished 47.57 points, or 0.3%, lower at 18,478.64, with Apple Inc. and Nike Inc. leading declines. The Nasdaq Composite shed 24.44 points, or 0.5%, to 5,259.48.