U.S. stocks closed slightly lower Thursday after spending much of the day wavering between small gains and losses.
Several companies reported earnings and outlooks that offered a mixed picture of the economy for investors.
Health care stocks were among the biggest decliners, dragged down after UnitedHealth Group cut its full-year earnings forecast. The nation's largest health insurer also raised doubts about whether it will continue to participate in a key piece of the Affordable Care Act.
Traders felt a bit better about payments company Square and online dating site operator Match Group. Both soared on their first day of trading.
In the absence of major economic news, investors honed in on the uneven company earnings and outlooks.
All told, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 4.41 points, or 0.02 percent, to 17,732.75. The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 2.34 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,081.24. The Nasdaq composite lost 1.56 points, or 0.03 percent, to 5,073.64.