12:25 PM EDT, 04/04/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes rose in midday trading on Thursday after weekly initial jobless claims increased more than forecast.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to 5,254.1, with the Nasdaq Composite up 1.1% to 16,456.3 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.5% higher at 39,327.3. All sectors were in the green intraday, with technology, consumer discretionary, and industrials being the top gainers.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims rose to 221,000 in the week ended March 30, the highest since January, from an upwardly revised 212,000 level in the previous week and compared with expectations for 214,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. The four-week moving average rose to 214,250 from 211,500 in the previous week.

The US international trade deficit widened for a third consecutive month to $68.9 billion in February from a $67.6 billion gap in January, versus the $67.6 billion shortfall expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg, as growth in imports outpaced exports.

The US 10-year yield fell less than one basis point to 4.35%, while the two-year rate rose 1.4 basis points to 4.69%.

In company news, Lamb Weston ( LW ) reported fiscal Q3 adjusted earnings and sales below estimates and lowered guidance for full-year fiscal 2024. Shares of the food processing company sank nearly 20% intraday, the worst performer on the S&P 500.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated 0.8% to $84.77 a barrel.