Major U.S. stock-indexes little changed on Thursday despite the impact of a rise in oil prices and strong results at Wal-Mart was offset by weakness in consumer discretionary and financial stocks.

Dow component Wal-Mart (WMT) rose after the retailer posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit. The stock provided the biggest boost to the Dow and the S&P 500.

Oil stocks rose as Brent crude touched $50 a barrel for the first time in six weeks after major producers prepared to discuss a possible freeze in output. U.S. crude was trading near $47.

Dow stocks mixed (15 vs 15). Top gainer - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT, +1.58%). Top loser - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, -1.34%).

Most of S&P sectors in positive area. Top gainer - Basic Materials (+1.0%). Top loser - Conglomerates (-2.6%).

At the moment:

Dow 18545.00 +4.00 +0.02%

S&P 500 2181.75 +2.00 +0.09%

Nasdaq 100 4807.50 +3.50 +0.07%

Oil 48.69 +1.17 +2.46%

Gold 1355.70 +6.90 +0.51%

U.S. 10yr 1.55 -0.01