TORONTO - A sense of calm returned to North American stock markets, with major indices ending the day relatively unchanged.

The S&P/TSX composite index climbed 17.36 points to 14,366.46, supported by strength in the consumer staples and materials sectors.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average slid 31.98 points to 18,034.77, while the Nasdaq gained 18.51 points to 5,173.77. The S&P 500 dipped 1.25 points to 2,125.77.

Stock markets have been turbulent for the past few sessions as traders interpret signs of weakness in the global economy.

Oil prices continued their slide following concerns that demand for crude will slow down this year.

The October contract for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate was down $1.32 at US$43.53.

Elsewhere in commodities, October natural gas contracts lost two cents at US$2.89 per mmBtu, December gold was up $2.40 at US$1,326.10 an ounce and December copper advanced five cents to US$2.15 a pound.

The Canadian dollar was down 0.16 of a cent to trade at 75.77 cents US.