04:06 PM EDT, 06/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes closed higher Wednesday as markets analyzed the latest macroeconomic data, including a report showing that employment gains in the private sector slowed more than expected in May.

* Private employment in the US increased by 152,000 last month, slowing from April's downwardly revised 188,000, Automatic Data Processing ( ADP ) reported. Analysts in a Bloomberg-compiled survey were modeling for a 175,000 increase.

* The Bureau of Labor Statistics is expected to report Friday that the US economy added 185,000 nonfarm jobs last month, which would mark an increase from the 175,000 gain posted for April.

* July West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $0.88 to $74.13 per barrel, while August Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.92 to $78.44.

* CrowdStrike ( CRWD ) was up nearly 12% as the cybersecurity company posted stronger-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results and raised its full-year financial outlook.

* Dollar Tree ( DLTR ) shares were down almost 5% as the discount retailer lowered its full-year earnings outlook due to costs stemming from tornado damage to its distribution center in Oklahoma.