US benchmark equity indexes ended mixed Wednesday amid rising geopolitical risks and US import tariff fears.

* Federal Reserve officials indicated last month that they would want to see inflation cool further before making additional interest rate cuts, while saying that potential changes in trade and immigration policies could "hinder" the disinflation process, meeting minutes showed Wednesday.

* At the January meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to leave its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 4.25% to 4.50%, following three straight cuts. At the time, it said inflation remained "somewhat elevated."

* The US negotiations with Russia over Ukraine are starting to generate "whispers of concern," Deutsche Bank's Luke Templeman said in a note. Additionally, US President Donald Trump's announcement on Tuesday that he may impose 25% tariffs on auto, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports added to fears of a looming global trade war.

* The Trump administration's move to "penalize what Washington deems unfair trade practices, are set to provoke retaliation, drive up costs for businesses and consumers, and disrupt intricate global supply chains," Nigel Green, chief executive of deVere Group, said in a note.

* March West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.44 to settle at $72.25 per barrel, while April Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.26 to $76.10 as supply tightens after a Monday Ukrainian drone attack on an export pipeline in Russia damaged a pumping station and cut shipments on the 1.3-millon barrel per day line by 380,000 barrels per day.

* Cold weather in northern US states is also disrupting supply.

* Devon Energy (DVN) shares rallied 7.8% after reporting stronger-than-expected Q4 results late Tuesday.

* Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) slumped 7.8% after the company's full-year earnings outlook missed expectations.