04:00 PM EDT, 08/07/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes ended lower Wednesday as markets analyzed the latest set of corporate earnings.

* The CBOE's Volatility Index (VIX), known as the fear gauge, traded 0.3% lower at 27.66. Earlier in the session the indicator was down as much as 12% before finishing little changed, signaling trepidation among market participants. The index blew past 50 earlier in the week amid concern the US economy has entered a steep slowdown.

* Mortgage applications jumped 6.9% in the week ended Aug. 2 as a sharp drop in mortgage rates pushed up refinancing activity and new home applications, according to Wednesday's Mortgage Bankers Association data.

* September West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $2.03 to settle at $75.23 per barrel, while October Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $1.77 to $78.25 on heightened Middle East tension and a report showing U.S. oil inventories fell again last week.

* Fortinet ( FTNT ) soared 26% as the company reported Q2 adjusted earnings and sales above market expectations and boosted its full-year 2024 guidance.

* Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) shares slumped nearly 20% as the company reported fiscal Q4 adjusted profit that trailed analysts' projections.