Indices finished Thursday’s session with gains. Stocks prospered amid euro-zone news and declining jobless claims. The European Central Bank reduced its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a record low of 0.5%, after keeping the rate at 0.75% since July 2012. Meanwhile, the Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims decreased by 18,000 to 324,000 last week. Economists expected an increase in claims to 345,000. On another note, the Census Bureau said the U.S. trade deficit dipped to $38.8 billion in March from $43.6 billion in February. The results compared with expectations of a $42 billion gap. Elsewhere, crude oil futures tacked on 65 cents today to settle at $91.68 a barrel.
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