US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Wednesday as the Federal Reserve held its benchmark lending rate steady for a second straight meeting and said that uncertainty regarding the economic outlook has moved higher.

* The Federal Open Market Committee left interest rates in the range of 4.25% to 4.50%, in line with Wall Street's expectations. Policymakers reduced rates by 50 basis points in September and by 25 basis points each in November and December.

* "Uncertainty around the economic outlook has increased," the FOMC said Wednesday following its two-day meeting. Policymakers reiterated their recent remarks that inflation remained "somewhat elevated" and that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid rate.

* Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to limit attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, while rejecting a broader 30-day ceasefire, Commerzbank said in a note. The US says talks on a total ceasefire will start immediately, the note said.

* The market's expectation of a quick resolution, in line with the US President Donald Trump's desire, will need to be reassessed, Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, said in a note.

* April West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.36 to settle at $67.26 per barrel, while May Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.37 to $70.93 after a report of rise in US inventories last week matching expectations.

* Boeing's (BA) Q1 cash outflow will likely be smaller than previously projected due to ongoing stabilization of factory operations and a clearing out of inventory, Chief Financial Officer Brian West said during a conference, according to a transcript from FactSet. Boeing's shares jumped 7.1%.

* Gilead (GILD) shares fell 2.9%. The company should not see any impact from the reported cost reductions at the US Department of Health and Human Services, Truist said. The reported changes in the financial overhaul, which appear to be targeting the HIV portion of the prevention efforts, are not expected to affect HIV drug reimbursement or national coverage, the investment firm said.