Major U.S. stock-indexes lower on Thursday as oil prices slid and investors worried that measures taken by central banks may not be enough to put the global economy back on track. Crude fell more than 2% as a rise in Iraqi exports offset gains from an unexpected fall in U.S. inventories. Minutes from the Fed's March meeting released on Wednesday pointed to concerns about the central bank's limited ability to tackle a global economic slowdown, reducing the odds of a rate increase before June.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (24 of 30). Top looser - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, -2,42%). Top gainer - United Technologies Corporation (UTX, +0,91%).

All S&P sectors in negative area. Top looser - Conglomerates (-1,8%).

At the moment:

Dow 17508.00 -120.00 -0.68%

S&P 500 2040.75 -19.50 -0.95%

Nasdaq 100 4489.00 -46.00 -1.01%

Oil 36.84 -0.91 -2.41%

Gold 1236.90 +13.10 +1.07%

U.S. 10yr 1.71 -0.05