On Thursday, May 16th, U.S. stock markets closed in the red as investors adjusted their rate-cut expectations following data showing a slowdown in inflation and strong corporate earnings. Early gains faded, resulting in modest declines across the three major indexes. In economic data, U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 10,000 to 222,000 for the week ending May 11, slightly above the 220,000 expected. April’s industrial production remained flat, following a 0.1% increase in March. Ten of the 11 S&P 500 sectors ended lower, with consumer staples being the only sector to gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.10% and closed at 39,869.38. The S&P 500 declined 0.21%, ending the day at 5,297.10, and the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.26%, finishing ...