The main US stock indexes showed a moderate increase, which was supported by strong reports of companies in the retail sector.

The sentiment of investors also gained momentum after the minutes of the last meeting of the Federal Reserve showed that politicians expect the economy to pick up momentum and raise interest rates sooner rather than later.

In addition, as it became known, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week grew less than expected, and the four-week moving average fell to a 44-year low, which suggests a further tightening of the labor market situation. Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose by 1,000 and, taking into account seasonal fluctuations, reached 234,000 for the week of May 20. This growth followed three weeks of decline.

At the same time, the deficit of international trade in April was 67.6 billion, which is 2.5 billion more than in March, when the deficit reached 65.1 billion. The export of goods for April amounted to 125.9 billion, which is 1.1 Billion less than in March. Imports of goods for April amounted to 193.4 billion, which is 1.4 billion more than in March.

Oil prices fell by about 5% on Thursday after OPEC approved the extension of the current agreement to reduce oil production for nine months, until March 2018, but refused to consider a possibility of a more significant decline in production.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a rise (22 out of 30). The leader of growth was shares UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, + 1.62%). The shares of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company fell more than others (DD, -1.25%).

Most sectors of the S & P index finished trading in positive territory. The leader of growth was the service sector (+ 1.0%). Most of all fell the sector of basic materials (-1.2%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.33% 21,082.61 +70.19

Nasdaq + 0.69% 6.205.26 +42.24

S & P + 0.44% 2.415.04 +10.65