US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Wednesday after the White House granted a one-month tariff exemption to automakers.

* President Donald Trump is exempting automakers from tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month. Trump recently met with leaders of certain US automakers, who urged him to waive 25% tariffs on vehicles that comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement's rules of origin, according to CNBC.

* Two surveys provided mixed signals regarding the US services sector in February, as the Institute for Supply Management's data showed activity unexpectedly picking up pace, while S&P Global (SPGI) indicated a growth slowdown.

* Both reports, however, pointed to uncertainty around Trump's policies on trade tariffs.

* April West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $1.90 to settle at $2.78 per barrel, while May Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $1.70 to $69.34 as rising inventories, the U.S. trade wars and a slowing American economy overcame the support provided by an increase in crude inventories.

* Ford Motor (F), General Motors (GM), and Stellantis (STLA) shares rose 5.5%, 6.5%, and 9.1% respectively, as the White House announced a one-month Delay in tariffs.

* Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) shares plunged nearly 10% after the apparel retailer guided for a slowdown in sales growth in fiscal 2025, while its Q1 earnings outlook fell short of Wall Street estimates.