U.S. markets closed mixed on the prior trading day. The S&P 500 rose 0.09% to 6,586.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.30% to 46,348.22. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.32% to 21,877.14. The market was pulled by two things at once. Oil moved up again. Growth data came in softer. Stocks did not break, but the tone was more careful. The broad market held up better than tech. That left a split close, not a full risk-on move.

The S&P 500 and Dow both finished higher. The Nasdaq closed lower. That tells you leadership stayed narrow.

Energy stocks helped the market. Financials also gave support. Tech and communication names were weaker. That mix fits a market dealing with higher oil and firm rates.

The move under the surface stayed uneven. The market did not widen out in a strong way. A few groups did more of the work.

Treasury yields stayed firm. The 10-year Treasury yield ended at 4.37%, up from 4.34% the day before.

That kept the rate backdrop tight. Higher yields can make it harder for growth-heavy stocks to lead. They also keep borrowing conditions less friendly.

The U.S. dollar moved higher. The dollar index rose 0.18% to 99.36. The euro slipped to $1.1585. The yen weakened to 158.75 per dollar.

This was a steady dollar session. It showed that investors still wanted some safety and still saw inflation pressure as real.

Oil was the main market number again. WTI crude settled at $91.33 a barrel, up 3.63%. Brent crude ended at $98.54.

That kept energy at the center of the market. Higher oil prices can raise transport, fuel, and business costs. It also keeps pressure on the inflation picture.

Gold held up, but it was not the main driver. Energy was still the bigger story.

The key data point was the March flash PMI report. U.S. private-sector activity slowed. The composite PMI came in at 51.4, down from 51.9 in February. Services eased to 51.1 from 51.7. Manufacturing improved to 52.4 from 51.6.

The message was simple. Growth did not stop, but it did slow. That left the market with a softer growth picture and a firmer cost picture at the same time.

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Markets open today with a tight backdrop. Stocks held up, but leadership stayed narrow. Oil stayed high. Yields stayed firm. Growth data softened. That puts energy, rates, and the pace of growth at the center of the next session.