-- US equity indexes were higher on Thursday even though crude oil prices rose amid expectations that the two-week US-Iran ceasefire will hold as negotiators gather in Pakistan for discussions.
* Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said the Strait of Hormuz is open and any civilian vessel can pass with guidance from the Iranian authorities, UK's ITV reported.
* The personal consumption expenditures price index rose by 0.4%, and as expected, the year-over-year rate remained at 2.8%. The core PCE price index increased by 0.4%, as expected, and the same as in January.
* US economic growth, measured by gross domestic product, was revised lower to a 0.5% increase in Q4 from a 0.7% gain in the second estimate, compared with estimates for no revision in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.
* US initial jobless claims rose to 219,000 in the week ended April 4 from an upwardly revised 203,000 in the previous week, compared with expectations for 210,000 in a Bloomberg-compiled poll.
* May West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $4.77 to settle at $99.18 per barrel, while June Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $2.44 at $97.19.
* Brown-Forman (BF.A, BF.B) was approached by Sazerac about a potential transaction amid ongoing talks with French spirits company Pernod Ricard, The Wall Street Journal reported. Brown-Forman Class A and Class B shares were up roughly 11% and 13%, respectively.
* Zscaler (ZS) shares were down nearly 11% in after BTIG Research downgraded the stock to neutral from buy.