04:05 PM EDT, 04/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity markets ended lower Tuesday as investors weighed higher-than-expected wage data ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decision on Wednesday.

* The US employment cost index rose by 1.2% in Q1 after a 0.9% gain in Q4, compared with the consensus estimate of a 1% gain in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. Wages and salaries rose by 1.1%, the same pace as in the previous quarter, while benefits were up 1.1% after a 0.7% gain in Q4.

* The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell to 97.0 in April from a downwardly revised index of 103.1 in March, below a reading of 104.0 expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

* June West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $1.02 to $81.61 per barrel, while June Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.53 to $81.61 following the latest round of economic data.

* Walmart ( WMT ) shares fell 1.3% after the company said it would close all 51 of its health centers across five states and shutter its virtual care business.

* Eli Lilly ( LLY ) shares rose 5.8% after the company reported higher non-GAAP earnings and revenue in Q1.