US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Monday as markets parsed the latest economic data and awaited the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision due later in the week.

* Retail sales in the US rose less than Wall Street's projections amid declines in the motor vehicle and gasoline components, data from the Census Bureau showed.

"Consumers are clearly becoming more discerning in their spending," BMO said. Separately, TD Economics said consumer spending is expected to be "much softer" this year amid concerns about an intensifying trade war that is adding to worries about inflation.

* The central bank's Federal Open Market Committee is widely expected to hold interest rates steady again on Wednesday, following a pause in January, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

"Maintaining a solid assessment of economic conditions and hiring, as well as the still-elevated level of inflation, the Fed is likely to show little adjustment in expectations for additional policy cuts, at least in the near term, as the committee continues to assess the incoming data and 'uncertainty' surrounding tariffs and the Trump administration's fiscal policy agenda," Stifel said in a Monday note.

* April West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.31 to settle at $67.49 per barrel, while May Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.42 to $71.00 after the United States launched attacks on Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants, a response to the group's attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping. Also, prices were supported by China's intention to boost consumer spending.

* Intel's (INTC) incoming chief executive, Lip-Bu Tan, is considering significant changes to the company's chip manufacturing and artificial intelligence strategies as part of turnaround efforts, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources. The chipmaker's shares were up 6.7%.

* Walmart (WMT) is making Klarna the exclusive provider of its buy now, pay later loans, a win for the Swedish fintech over its rival Affirm (AFRM), CNBC reported, citing unnamed sources. Walmart shares rose 2.8% while Affirm sank 5.2%.