[BRIEFING.COM] Stocks have stemmed their losses, but weakness persists as they start to drift sideways. Losses are least severe among defensive-oriented sectors like health care and telecom, both of which are down 0.8%.

Conversely, energy continues to contend with the worst selling pressure. The sector is down 2.2%. It had been down 3.3% at its session low, though. The sector's move off of its session low has been accompanied by oil's lift. Oil futures prices had been down some 6% in early pit trade, but it was last quoted at $75.95 per ounce, down 2.8%.