04:04 PM EDT, 08/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes ended mixed Monday as new orders for durable goods jumped almost twice as fast as the market had anticipated, undermining risk sentiment because the timing of potential interest-rate cuts remains dependent on supportive macroeconomic data.

* New orders for durable goods surged 9.9% in July following a 6.9% drop in June, ahead of estimates compiled by Bloomberg for a 5% increase. The large gain reflected a recovery in transportation orders, particularly nondefense aircraft orders. Excluding the transportation component, new orders fell 0.2% in July after a 0.1% gain in June.

* The Dallas Federal Reserve's monthly manufacturing reading rose to minus 9.7 in August from minus 17.5 in July, above an expected reading of minus 16 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. The data are in line with other manufacturing data already released that continued to indicate contraction in the sector. The ISM's manufacturing reading for August will be released on Sept. 3.

* October West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $2.38 to settle at $77.21 per barrel, while October Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $2.28 at $81.29.

* Lululemon Athletica ( LULU ) shares were up 1.5%. The athletic apparel and footwear company has the potential to deliver an earnings beat and a guidance raise in its upcoming results amid "lower-quality" drivers, though it's likely to remain a "show-me" story in the near term, Morgan Stanley said in a note e-mailed Monday.

* PDD's (PDD) US-listed American depositary receipts plunged 29% after the Chinese e-commerce platform's Q2 revenue increased year over year but fell short of market estimates. The company expects competition and external challenges to impact its future results.