NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Dow and S&P 500 closed down but well off the day's lows in a volatile session on Thursday, suggesting investors aren't ready to give up on the market's rally.
The S&P 500 opened lower on deepening concerns that higher oil could stifle economic activity. Stocks hit their worst levels when Brent crude neared $120 a barrel on Libya's turmoil, but a drop in oil prices prompted a corresponding recovery in stocks.
Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 37.28 points, or 0.31 percent, to end unofficially at 12,068.50. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 1.30 points, or 0.10 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,306.10. But the Nasdaq Composite Index was up 14.91 points, or 0.55 percent, to close unofficially at 2,737.90. (Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Jan Paschal)