NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes recovered most of their losses after news outlets reported that Europe's central bank is considering unveiling a stimulus package next month.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 12 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 17,900 Thursday. It had been down almost 100 points earlier.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost two points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,071. The Nasdaq composite declined five points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,769.

Bloomberg News said the European Central Bank is considering a large bond-purchasing program. That would be a relief to investors, who have been worrying that Europe could slip into a recession again.

In the U.S., Barnes & Noble fell 5 percent after the company said it was ending its agreement with Microsoft for its Nook e-reader.