Stocks pull back | U.S. oil approaches $115 | Meme stocks’ latest revival

U.S. stocks took a step back Wednesday as oil prices climbed.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE WED, MAR 23, 2022 EVENING BRIEF AS OF WED, MAR 23, 2022 • 04:44 ET DJIA 34358.50 -1.29% -448.96 S&P 500 4456.24 -1.23% -55.37 NASDAQ 13922.60 -1.32% -186.21   Most Active DOW NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAPL 170.21 +1.39 +0.82% INTC 48.27 -0.12 -0.25% VZ 50.97 -0.03 -0.06% S&P 500 NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAPL 170.21 +1.39 +0.82% AMD 113.92 -0.86 -0.75% F 16.68 -0.41 -2.40% NASDAQ NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAPL 170.21 +1.39 +0.82% AMD 113.92 -0.86 -0.75% PDD 49.40 +1.87 +3.93%   EDITOR'S NOTE U.S. stocks took a step back Wednesday as oil prices climbed. All three major averages finished the day more than 1% lower, while international oil benchmark Brent crude topped $121 per barrel and U.S. WTI crude neared $115.   "There's been a shift in focus back to economic indicators, with energy prices front and center," Michelle Cluver, portfolio strategist at Global X, said. Energy stocks outperformed Wednesday, with the sector rising 1.7%. Utilities also closed with a small gain, while the other nine S&P 500 sectors finished the day lower.   Despite Wednesday's pullback, the three indexes are each higher on the month.  Hannah Miao | CNBC Associate Markets Reporter @HannahMiao_ Watch our live stream for all you need to know to invest smarter. TOP NEWS  Dow falls more than 400 points as oil rises to nearly $115 U.S. government formally accuses Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine Up to 40,000 Russian soldiers killed, wounded, captured or MIA in Ukraine, NATO estimates Supreme Court pick Ketanji Brown Jackson faces fresh GOP scrutiny as Senate grilling winds down Madeleine Albright, first female secretary of state, dies at 84 Wall Street bonuses climb to record $257,500 per worker last year, New York's fiscal chief says The meme stocks are not dead yet. Why GameStop and AMC are holding up Retail investors were big buyers of the post-Fed rally. What they are adding Figuring out this market is driving traders crazy. Here's why Rep. Mo Brooks says Trump asked him to 'rescind the 2020 election,' remove Biden and call special election   TOP VIDEO Meme stock mania returns as GameStop, AMC shares spike in this week's trade   CNBC PRO Morgan Stanley says the time is right for steady utilities stocks. These are the firm's favorites   SPECIAL REPORTS Consumers felt the pinch at the pump with rising gas prices in February. Here's who was affected the most There's a tricky cryptocurrency question on your tax return. 'You're playing with fire if you don't report it.'   Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2022 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS