03:59 PM EST, 02/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes ended lower Thursday as macroeconomic data, deteriorating geopolitical climes, and earnings weighed on risk sentiment.

* US initial jobless claims rose to 219,000 during the week ended Feb. 15 from an upwardly revised 214,000 the prior week, the US Labor Department said Thursday. Expectations were for 215,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

Including continuing claims, the data are "consistent with a labor market that can withstand a Fed on hold as it assesses progress on inflation," Nancy Vanden Houten, Lead US Economist at Oxford Economics, said in a note.

* Discussions with business contacts show possible tariffs and changes to immigration policy as sources of uncertainty that could shift inflation and employment, Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic said in an essay published on the Atlanta Fed's website.

"In recent weeks, we've heard not only enthusiasm -- particularly from banks, about possible shifts in tax and regulatory policies -- but also widespread apprehension about future trade and immigration policy," Bostic wrote.

* March West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.28 to settle at $72.53 per barrel, while April Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.46 to $76.50 despite a report showing another big rise in U.S. inventories last week.

* Hasbro ( HAS ) reported fiscal Q4 results that topped analysts' estimates. It also outlined its "Playing to Win" strategy. Its shares rose 13%.

* Walmart ( WMT ) slumped 6.5% after the company reported Q1 and fiscal 2026 adjusted-earnings guidance below analyst estimates compiled by FactSet.