US equities were higher in Thursday trading, as stocks ended near best levels. Much of the focus in the market continues to revolve around the political pressure on the Fed to cut rates, and the potential for Trump to name a Powell successor as early as this summer. Initial jobless claims down 10K w/w to 236K, better than expected and lowest since mid-May. Lots of Fedspeak today, with Chicago's Goolsbee, Governor Barr, Richmond's Barkin, San Francisco's Daly, and Boston's Collins all speaking.