Stocks Closed Slightly Lower, Weighed by Health Care and Energy

U.S. stocks closed slightly lower on Thursday, pulled down by weak health-care and energy shares amid a slump in oil prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.41 points, or 0.02%, to 17,732.75. The S&P 500 was off 2.34 points, or 0.11%, to 2,081.24. The Nasdaq Composite was down 1.56 points, or 0.03%, to 5,073.64.

Crude-oil futures ended lower Thursday as investors were unable to shake off worries about growing global supply. Nymex West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery CLZ5, -0.42% the most active contract, fell 23 cents to settle at $41.72 a barrel.

The New York Stock Exchange, in a statement, said it would no longer accept what are called stop orders, beginning Feb. 26, joining the Nasdaq NDAQ, +1.14% in barring them. Another order type called good-till- canceled also is being axed.

Shares of upstart credit card processor Square (SQ) jumped nearly 50% on Thursday, after lackluster interest from investors in the company’s initial public offering depressed its value.

Gap Inc. said it had net income of $248 million, or 61 cents per share, in its fiscal third quarter, down from $351 million, or 80 cents per share, for the same period last year. Sales totaled $3.86 billion for the quarter, down from $3.97 billion for the same period last year.

Nike Inc. (NKE) shares rallied in the extended session Thursday after the sports gear and apparel company announced a buyback program, stock split, and dividend hike.