US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Monday as markets tracked the latest tariff updates.

* President Donald Trump exempted smartphones, computers and semiconductors from his reciprocal tariffs, CNBC reported, citing Customs and Border Protection guidance issued late Friday. However, Trump said in a social media post Sunday that there are no tariff exceptions. Last week, Trump announced a 90-day pause on certain tariffs for non-retaliating countries, while hiking duties on China to 145%.

* While inflationary headwinds from higher tariffs are likely to be temporary, their effects on employment and output could be "longer-lasting," Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said. "If the slowdown is significant and even threatens a recession, then I would expect to favor cutting the (Federal Open Market Committee's) policy rate sooner, and to a greater extent than I had previously thought."

* May West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.17 to settle at $61.67 per barrel, while June Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.27 to $65.03 as Chinese imports surged last month and the dollar continued to weaken, even as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries cut its 2025 demand forecast amid expectations US tariff policies will hamper growth.

* Trump said Monday he's looking to "help some of the car companies" as they need some time to move production to the US, CNBC reported. General Motors (GM) shares rose 3.6%, while Ford Motor (F) gained 4.5%. Stellantis (STLA) was up 5.6%.

* DaVita (DVA) said that some of its operations were affected by a ransomware incident that occurred Saturday. The company's shares were down 3.4%.