U.S. stock indices closed flat on Thursday as gains in consumer sector offset declines in health-care stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 4.34 points, or 0.02%, to 17,732.82. The S&P 500 declined 2.35 points, or 0.11%, to 2,081.23. The Nasdaq Composite slid 1.56 points, or 0.03%, to 5,073.64.

Stocks of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated plunged 5.78% after the company cut its earnings forecast.

Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart said in prepared remarks that volatility in financial markets has declined and he would be comfortable if the central bank raised its benchmark interest rate "soon". Lockhart did not say how he intends to vote when the Federal Open Market Committee meets in December and refused to try to predict the outcome of this meeting.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng declined 0.23%, or 52.83, to 22,447.39. China Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.28%, or 10.03, to 3.627.10. The Nikkei 225 lost 0.37%, or 73.89, to 19,785.92.

Asian indices traded mixed.

Japanese stocks declined amid profit taking after several days of growth. A stronger yen weighed on stocks too.

November BOJ economic report released today showed that exports and production had been influenced by slowdown in emerging markets. The report also noted that "producer prices are declining relative to three months earlier, mainly due to the fall in international commodity prices" and "inflation expectations appear to be rising on the whole from a somewhat longer-term perspective".