04:01 PM EST, 12/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes ended mixed Thursday as markets evaluated the latest economic data and corporate earnings.

* US real gross domestic product rose at an annual rate of 3.1% in the third quarter, according to a final estimate by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. A prior estimate by the BEA showed 2.8% growth, which was the consensus in a Bloomberg-compiled consensus.

"A stronger-than-expected showing in third-quarter GDP reinforces the (Federal Reserve's) characterization of a 'solid' economy and the need for a reduced pace and number of further rate cuts," Stifel said in a note to clients.

* US existing home sales rose more than expected sequentially last month and logged the biggest year-over-year increase since June 2021, according to National Association of Realtors data.

"Home sales momentum is building," NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said. "More buyers have entered the market as the economy continues to add jobs, housing inventory grows compared to a year ago, and consumers get used to a new normal of mortgage rates between 6% and 7%."

* January West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $0.73 to settle at $69.85 per barrel, while February Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.80 to $72.60 as the dollar rose to a two-year high after the Federal Reserve indicated Wednesday it is likely to slow the pace of cuts in the new year.

* Darden Restaurants ( DRI ) shares jumped nearly 15% after the Olive Garden ( DRI ) and LongHorn Steakhouse parent raised its full-year revenue outlook and reported better-than-expected fiscal Q2 results.

* Micron Technology ( MU ) fell 17%. Late Wednesday, the memory and storage product maker flagged weakness in its consumer-oriented markets that will likely impact its Q2 outlook.