US stocks end mostly lower after two days of gains

US stocks closed mostly lower on Thursday following a two-day rally, dragged down by materials, energy and financial equities.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 23.22 points, or 0.13%, to 17,828.29. The S&P 500 ended down by less than a point, or 0.02%, at 2,090.10. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite gained 6.88 points, or 0.14%, to 4,901.77.

Prospects of a possible rate hike by the Fed are keeping investors on the edge, with attention now turning to a speech by Fed Chair Yellen on Friday.