US benchmark equity indexes ended mixed Thursday in a holiday-shortened week ending with Good Friday.

* In a social media post on Thursday, President Donald Trump said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should "certainly" lower interest rates. "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough," Trump said, calling the central bank chief "too late."

Trump's remarks come a day after Powell reiterated that the impact of US tariffs on inflation may not quickly unwind. "We may find ourselves in the challenging scenario in which our dual-mandate goals are in tension," Powell said, referring to the Fed's goals of gaining maximum employment and stable prices.

* US housing starts fell more than expected in March amid a double-digit percentage decline in the single-family component, government data showed.

Homebuilder confidence remained subdued this month amid elevated trade uncertainty, TD Economics said. "This will likely only add to existing affordability challenges, which combined with an expected slowdown in the economy, will weigh on the homebuilding industry over the coming quarters."

* May West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $1.87 to settle at $64.34 per barrel, while June Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $1.75 to $67.60 after the United States imposed new sanctions on buyers and shippers of Iranian oil.

* Eli Lilly (LLY) said its investigational obesity pill helped diabetes patients achieve glucose control and weight loss. The pharmaceutical company's shares soared over 14%.

* UnitedHealth (UNH) shares plunged over 22% as the health insurance giant slashed its full-year earnings outlook after its first-quarter results fell short of analysts' estimates.