Stocks were little changed after the open on Wednesday as continued high oil prices offset strong labor market data a day after a heavy sell-off.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 5.22 points, or 0.04 percent, to 12,063.24. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dropped 0.31 points, or 0.02 percent, to 1,306.02. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 1.40 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,738.81.

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