04:15 PM EDT, 09/19/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes ended higher on Friday as benchmark gauges extended rallies to records amid optimism on trade negotiations between the US and China.

* Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US President Donald Trump during a call on Friday to avoid imposing restrictive trade measures, according to China's Xinhua News Agency. Following the call, Trump noted progress on key issues, including trade, and expressed appreciation for the TikTok deal approval in a Truth Social post.

* October West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell $0.84 to settle at $62.73 per barrel, while November Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.78 to $66.65.

* Brighthouse Financial ( BHF ) shares rose 27%. The company is in advanced talks for a potential takeover valued at $65 to $70 per share by a consortium led by Aquarian Holdings, which would value the annuity provider at up to $4 billion, Bloomberg reported.

* Hess Midstream ( HESM ) shares fell 10%. Wells Fargo downgraded the stock to equalweight from overweight and reduced its price target to $39 from $48, a day after the company said it expects Q3 and full-year net income and adjusted EBITDA at the lower end of guidance.