The S&P/ASX 200 finished nearly flat at 9,033 on Thursday, reversing losses from the earlier session, as strength in energy firms countered weakness in heavyweight miners and banks. A surge in crude prices boosted the energy sector 3.2% to its strongest level in almost a month, with Woodside advancing 4.3% after securing additional funding for its Louisiana LNG project. Its smaller peer Santos posted a solid 2.2% rise. Meanwhile, financial stocks fell 0.8%, snapping their three-session winning streak as profit-taking dragged all major lenders lower. In resources, gold miners clawed back some ground, ending 1.5% higher, despite softer bullion prices, while mining giant BHP dipped 1.2% after management warned that regulatory challenges could force tough calls on coal operations. Its rival Fortescue outperformed, up 2.7%, supported by record iron ore shipments.