US benchmark equity indexes closed higher on Thursday after stronger-than-expected June retail sales and earnings reports from major companies.

* US retail sales rose 0.6% in June, beating expectations and recovering from a 0.9% decline in May, according to the US Census Bureau.

* US economic data released Thursday showed continued strength, as the Labor Department reported jobless claims last week fell by 7,000 to 221,000.

* The National Association of Home Builders housing market index rose to 33 in July from 32 in June, in line with expectations but below last year's reading of 41. The Philadelphia Fed's manufacturing index jumped to 15.9 from -4.

* Quarterly earnings released this week have exceeded Wall Street expectations with about 88% of the 50 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far beating estimates, CNBC reported, citing data from FactSet.

* August West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $1.23 to settle at $67.61 per barrel, while September Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $1.06 to $69.58.

* PepsiCo (PEP) shares rose 7.5% after the company reported a surprise revenue increase for fiscal Q2 and raised its full-year earnings outlook, supported by easing foreign-exchange pressures.

* Elevance Health (ELV) shares fell 12% after the company lowered its full-year earnings outlook following weaker-than-expected quarterly results.