04:05 PM EDT, 05/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity markets ended higher Thursday as initial jobless claims increased more than expected.

* Initial jobless claims rose by 22,000 to 231,000 in the week ended May 4 from an upwardly revised 209,000 in the previous week, lifting the four-week moving average 4,750 to 215,000. The consensus for initial jobless claims was for a smaller increase to 212,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

* Natural gas stocks rose 79 billion cubic feet to 2.563 trillion cubic feet in the week ended May 3 following an increase of 59 billion in the previous week. The consensus was for 87 billion gain in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

* June West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.53 to $79.52 per barrel, while July Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.53 to $84.11 amid falling US crude inventories and higher Chinese imports.

* RAPT Therapeutics ( RAPT ) shares plunged 43% after the drugmaker reported a wider loss in Q1 and closed its clinical trials of zelnecirnon in atopic dermatitis and asthma.

* Equinix ( EQIX ) shares jumped 12%. a day after the company reported higher Q1 adjusted funds from operations and revenue.