US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Thursday after producer price data added to signs that cost pressures remain muted.

* US producer prices rebounded less than expected in May, according to government data released Thursday. On Wednesday, official data showed that consumer inflation unexpectedly decelerated last month, weighed down by lower energy prices.

"The downside surprise on the May consumer and producer price report continues to offer relief for a (Federal Reserve) increasingly concerned about a potential acceleration in cost pressures," Stifel said. "Additionally at this point, this week's reports indicate the impact of tariffs thus far remains somewhat muted, along with a hesitancy by at least some companies to pass on price increases to consumers."

* Weekly applications for unemployment insurance in the US remained at their highest level since October 2024, while continuing claims reached the highest point since November 2021, government data showed.

"Though inflation was tame in May and initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits have jumped in June, we don't think this alters the Fed's calculus yet," Oxford Economics said. "We're sticking with our forecast for the next rate cut to occur in December, but the Fed needs to carefully monitor whether businesses opt to lay off workers to cut costs because they're eating more of the tariffs than anticipated."

* July West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $0.04 to settle at $68.11 per barrel, while August Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $ 0.24 to $69.53.

* Oracle (ORCL) shares were up nearly 13%. The cloud computing company's strong fiscal Q4 results and increased revenue outlook are expected to help ease worries about potential margin pressure, UBS Securities said in a Thursday note.

* Boeing (BA) shares declined 5% after a 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India, bound for the UK, crashed shortly after takeoff. The plane carried 242 passengers and crew.