U.S. stock indexes closed higher on Thursday, with a strong boost from semiconductor shares and easing inflation fears, although investors still priced in interest rate hikes this year from the Federal Reserve. The Philadelphia semiconductor index sharply outperformed the rest of the market as Intel’s shares jumped to a record high. U.S. President Donald Trump said iPhone maker Apple had agreed to work with Intel to design and manufacture its chips in the U.S. Early in the session, oil…
