The S&P 500 has made its way back to a narrow gain. Energy stocks have become a drag on trade, however; that sector is down 0.3% at the moment.
Energy's decline has come primarily from weakness in oil and gas exploration and production outfits like Range Resources (RRC 42.48, -1.38), Noble Energy (NBL 82.38, -1.39), and Devon Energy (DVN 72.00, -1.18).
A recent bounce in oil prices does not appear to have helped the energy sector. Oil prices just poked into positive territory to trade at $88.30 per barrel.