US markets end flat; Brent crude trades above USD 116

The US stocks wiped out most of the session's losses to finish flat in choppy trading, but gains were limited by weakness in techs and as investors were reluctant to jump in following recent rallies that propelled major averages to five-year highs. The CBOE volatility index closed below 14.

Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.05% or 7.22 points at 13986.52. Nasdaq Composite was down 0.1% or 3.1 points at 3168.48. Standard & Poor's 500 was up 0.05% or 0.83 points at 1512.12.

In key economic data to watch out for in US, the initial jobless claims would be announced today. Estimates indicate slightly lower claims at 360000 compared to 368000 previous week.

In the currency space, the euro drifts lower as cautious investors waited for the outcomes of policy meetings by the European Central Bank & Bank of England. The dollex is below 80.

In commodity space, Brent crude prices continue to trade above the USD 116 mark.

In precious metals, gold prices traded over the USD 1677 mark.