The Dow Jones industrial average declined and the S&P 500 index and Nasdaq briefly turned lower in afternoon trading on Thursday as the latest economic data gave investors some concerns about the pace of a recovery.

The Dow <.DJI> was down 14.21 points, or 0.15 percent, at 9,347.40. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 0.90 points, or 0.09 percent, at 1,006.71. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 0.64 points, or 0.03 percent, at 1,999.36.

The Dow had been higher for much of the session.

(Editing by Padraic Cassidy)