04:08 PM EST, 11/14/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes ended lower Thursday as markets weighed remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

* The Federal Open Market Committee doesn't need to be in a hurry to lower interest rates and can act "carefully," Powell said in prepared remarks prior to a live discussion sponsored by the Dallas Fed and the Dallas Regional Chamber.

* "The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates," Powell said. "The strength we are currently seeing in the economy gives us the ability to approach our decisions carefully. Ultimately, the path of the policy rate will depend on how the incoming data and the economic outlook evolve."

* US producer price growth in October accelerated from September as wholesale costs of goods rebounded, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Data showed US consumer inflation increased in line with market estimates last month.

* "The details from the (consumer price index) and PPI reports this week signal that prices rose at a faster pace in October, but the details don't point to accelerating inflation," Oxford Economics said.

* The odds of policymakers lowering their benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points next month dropped to 75% Thursday from 83% Wednesday, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The probability of interest rates remaining unchanged rose to 25%.

* December West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.27 to settle at $68.70 per barrel, while January Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.24 to $72.52 even after a report showed a larger-than-expected rise in U.S. oil inventories and the International Energy Agency left its 2024 demand forecast unchanged, while expecting supply to exceed demand next year on rising non-OPEC production.

* Walt Disney's ( DIS ) fiscal Q4 results exceeded market expectations, buoyed by the streaming business. The media and entertainment giant expects adjusted earnings growth in fiscal 2025. The shares rose 6.2%.