The local share market edged lower as whipsawing oil prices caused choppy trading of energy stocks.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Thursday retreated from a two-month high by 5.1 points, or 0.07 per cent, to 7,173.3.
The broader All Ordinaries fell 2 points, or 0.03 per cent, to 7,384.7.
The local bourse followed a negative lead from Wall Street, where the Nasdaq fell 0.6 per cent, the S&P500 dropped 0.4 per cent and the Dow Jones slid 0.2 per cent overnight.
The energy sector recovered from an early rout to finish slightly up, while consolidation from year-high gains on Wednesday triggered a broader sell-off.
The Australian dollar was buying 65.55 US cents, from 65.81 US cents at Wednesday's ASX close.