02:10 PM EDT, 06/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes were mixed after midday Thursday, as investors evaluated the latest macro data, including a report showing producer prices unexpectedly returned to contraction territory in May.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.4% at 38,570.1 intraday, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.1% to 17,622.9. The S&P 500 was little changed at 5,419.3. Among sectors, industrials and communication services saw the steepest declines. Only technology and real estate were in the green.

In economic news, the US producer price index declined 0.2% last month on a seasonally adjusted basis, swinging from a 0.5% gain in April, government data showed. The Bloomberg-polled consensus estimate called for a 0.1% increase.

On Wednesday, official data showed US consumer inflation eased more than anticipated last month.

"Following yesterday's cooler-than-expected (consumer price index) report, this morning's headline decline in the PPI offers another piece of evidence that inflation is pulling back," Stifel said in a note. "Of course, following several months of head fakes at the start of the year with inflation moving higher, the (Federal Reserve) is less apt than investors to look at one month's data as an indication of achieving price stability."

The US 10-year yield dropped 5.5 basis points to 4.24% intraday, while the two-year rate fell seven basis points to 4.68%.

Weekly applications for unemployment insurance in the US posted a surprise gain last week to the highest level since August, while continuing claims rose slightly more than expected, government data showed.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 0.2% to $78.62 per barrel intraday.

In company news, Liberty Global ( LBTYA ) said it plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's ( WBD ) equity interest in the Formula E electric car racing series, increasing the telecom company's ownership stake to 65%. Warner Bros. shares fell 5.9%, the steepest decline on the Nasdaq and the second-worst on the S&P 500.

Broadcom ( AVGO ) was the top gainer on the Nasdaq and the second-best on the S&P 500, up 12%. The chipmaker late Wednesday raised its full-year revenue outlook on the back of a better-than-expected fiscal second quarter, buoyed by artificial intelligence demand and VMware software.

Adobe (ADBE) and RH (RH) are among the companies scheduled to post their latest financial results after Thursday's closing bell.

Gold was down 1.6% at $2,317.70 per troy ounce, while silver sank 4.1% to $29.02 per ounce.