04:09 PM EDT, 10/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes were lower on Thursday's close, led by falling bank stocks amid concerns about bad loans, while persistent trade tensions and the ongoing US government shutdown dragged on.

* Shares of US regional banks and investment bank Jefferies (JEF) tumbled Thursday as concern grew over bad loans on Wall Street, with Zions Bancorporation (ZION) and Western Alliance Bancorp ( WAL ) losing ground after two banks disclosed problems involving bad and fraudulent loans, CNBC reported Thursday.

* The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's monthly business leaders index, which measures services sector conditions, fell to minus 23.6 in October from minus 19.4 in September, signaling a faster contraction.

* November West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell $0.81 to settle at $57.46 per barrel, while December Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.86 to $61.05.

* J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) rose nearly 22%, leading the S&P 500, after the company reported late Wednesday a surprise year-over-year rise in Q3 earnings and revenue that topped analysts' estimates.

* Western Alliance Bancorp ( WAL ) shares fell about 12% after the company disclosed it filed a lawsuit in August against Cantor Group V, alleging fraud tied to a revolving credit facility note financing.