In economic news, the annual headline personal consumption expenditure, price index advanced 3% in October, cooling from 3.4% in September and below the 3.1% consensus. The Fed's preferred core inflation measure, which excludes food and energy, rose 3.5%, in line with the market's view, easing from 3.7% the month earlier. Markel (MKL) said Thursday its board has approved a new share-buyback program, effective immediately, to buy up to $750 million of the company's outstanding shares.