US equities end up, Oracle jumps over 13%

US stocks ended Thursday in the green, amid better hopes that the Federal Reserve will continue to reduce interest rates and the better performance of Oracle shares on better-than-expected results. The rise enhanced investor confidence in the technology sector growth prospects.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.24%, or 101 points, to 42,967.

Similarly, the S&P 500 Index added nearly 0.38%, or 23 points, to 6,045 points. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.24%, or 46 points, to 19,662 points.

Oracle stock leapt 13.31% to $199.86, while Boeing shares tumbled 4.79% to $203.75 after the India plane crash.

In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 headed south, losing 0.33% to 549 points.

The FTSE 100 inched up 0.23% to 8,884 points, closing at a record high for the second straight session.

The DAX 40 edged down 0.74% to 23,771 points, while the CAC 40 retreated 0.14% to 7,765 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 declined 0.65% to 38,173 points, ending a five-session winning streak. TOPIX lost 0.20% to 2,782 points.

Brent crude futures for August delivery fell 0.59%, or 41 cents, to $69.36 a barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for July delivery eased 0.16%, or 11 cents, to $68.04 a barrel.

Meanwhile, gold futures for August delivery gained 1.75%, or $58.70, to $3,402.40 per ounce.

Official data released today showed that the US Producer Price Index (PPI) rose less than expected on a monthly basis in May. Meanwhile, separate data indicated that weekly jobless claims remained unchanged.

Investor sentiment remained cautious amid anticipation over the expiration of former President Trump's tariff suspension period, with no new trade deals announced by the administration so far except with the UK and China.