US equity markets shook off a mixed opening to the first session of the week to push higher in the final hour of trading and settle with modest gains ahead of the first quarter earnings season shifting fully into gear this week - Dow rose +101-points or +0.30%, The broader S&P500 added +0.33%, with Real Estate (up +2.23%) and Financials (+1.04%) leading eight of the eleven primary sectors higher. Communication Services and Energy were the worst performing primary sectors overnight, both declining -1.27%. The Nasdaq +0.28%. Google parent Alphabet Inc fell -2.66% after The New York Times reported that Samsung is weighing making Bing its default search engine. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 rallied +1.22%.

US equity markets retreated on Friday (14 April) as investors assessed a weak retail sales report and some hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller that dented enthusiasm around a stronger-than-expected start to the first quarter corporate earnings season - Dow fell -143-points or -0.42%, Boeing Co dropped -5.56% after the company warned after the close of the previous session that a manufacturing hang-up could cause problems for production and delivery of “a significant number” of 737 Max planes. The broader S&P500 eased -0.21%, with the more defensive sectors leading the declines. Real Estate (down -1.68%), Utilities (-1.11%) and Health Care (-0.79%) were the worst performing sectors on Friday (14 April), leading seven of the eleven primary sectors lower. Financials (up +1.05%) sat atop the primary sector leaderboard. The Nasdaq fell -0.35%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.86%.

US equity markets erased earlier gains in the final hour of trading following the release of the Federal Reserve’s March monetary policy meeting minutes, and as investors digested the latest inflation figures.- Dow slipped -38-points or -0.11%, snapping a four session winning streak after unwinding an earlier rally of over >200-points. International Business Machines (IBM) Corp (down -1.44%) is considering selling its weather operation, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported after the market close. Any sale would come as IBM tries to become a leaner company trained on artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure, the WSJ noted. The broader S&P500 eased -0.41% albeit recording its biggest intraday move in approximately three weeks, with the index swinging nearly 50 points from its intraday high to low. Consumer Discretionary (down -1.54%) led seven of the eleven primary sectors lower. Industrials (up +0.3%) sat atop the primary sector leaderboard overnight. American Airlines Group Inc dropped -9.22% after the carrier released weaker-than-expected updated guidance for the first quarter. The company now projects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.01c to US$0.05c for the quarter, above prior guidance of breakeven, but below the average analyst projection for US$0.05c. United Airlines Holdings Inc shed -6.50%. The technology-centric Nasdaq lost -0.85%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 fell -0.72%.

US equity markets mixed ahead of the release of the latest monthly inflation figures tonight AEST - Dow rose +98-points or +0.29%, extending the 30-stock index’s gain into a fourth straight session. The broader S&P500 settled flat, with every sector in positive territory except Information Technology (down -1.03%) and Communication Services (-0.43%). Energy (+0.89%) sat atop the primary sector leaderboard overnight. Moderna Inc shed 3.06% after the biotech firm hosted a virtual investor conference and said it’s delaying its ‘flu vaccine. The Nasdaq eased -0.43%, with Microsoft Corp (down -2.27%) and Amazon.com Inc (-2.20%) both declining over >2%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 climbed +0.80%.

US equity markets resumed trading after the Good Friday long weekend with modest gains, climbing in the final hour of the session as investors digested last Friday’s (7 April) non-farm payrolls report and eyed the latest inflation figures and the start of the first quarter earnings season later this week – Dow rose +101-points or +0.30%. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Friday (7 April) that Exxon Mobil Corp (down -0.44%) has held informal talks with Pioneer Natural Resources Co (up +5.79%) about a possible acquisition. If a deal happens, it likely won’t come until later this year or next year, the WSJ report said. The broader S&P500 edged +0.10% higher, with Industrials (up +0.90%) and Energy (+0.65%) leading six of the eleven primary sectors higher overnight. Tesla Inc lost -0.30% after the company announced another round of price cuts on some vehicles in an attempt to spur demand. The electric vehicle maker also confirmed plans to build a megapack battery factory in Shanghai capable of assembling 10,000 giant batteries annually. The Nasdaq dipped -0.04% after dropping as much as -1.40% earlier in the session, with Apple Inc down -1.60% after market intelligence provider International Data Corp reported that global personal-computer shipments sank 29% from a year ago on weak demand, excess inventory and a worsening economic environment. Google parent Alphabet Inc lost -1.83%. Micron Technology Inc rallied +8.04% after its rival Samsung Electronics announced that it plans to cut memory chip production in the near term. A number of Wall Street analysts said the move could accelerate a return to supply-demand balance and potential rebound in the chipmaking sector. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 edged 0.13% higher. Tupperware Brands Corp sank -48.76% after the food-storage products maker issued a going-concern warning late Friday (7 April), saying it had hired financial advisers to help steer it through near-term challenges.

US equity markets weaker following a pair of soft economic reports - Dow added +80-points or +0.24%. The broader S&P500 slipped -0.25%, with Consumer Discretionary (down -2.04%) leading seven of the eleven primary sectors lower. The more defensive Utilities (up +2.57%) and Health Care (+1.73%) sectors sat at top of the primary sector leaderboard, while the Energy sector rose +1.42%. FedEx Corp rose +1.52% after the logistics giant announced plans to consolidate its operating companies into one organisation as part of an initiative called ‘Drive’, with the transition expected to be fully implemented in June 2024. The company expects the overall initiative to drive US$4B in permanent cost reductions in fiscal 2025. FedEx also plans to boost its annual dividend by +10% to US$0.44c per share. Costco Wholesale Corp fell over >2% in extended trading (after slipping -0.12% in the regular session) after the membership warehouse retailer reported its first monthly same-store sales (SSS) drop (down -1.1%) in nearly three years in March. The Nasdaq lost -1.07%, extending the technology centric indice’s decline into a third straight session. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.99%.

US equity markets retreated as investors weighed fresh declines in factory orders, and data hinting at a softening labour market ahead of Friday’s (7 April) March jobs report - Dow fell -199-points or -0.59%. Walmart Inc slipped -~0.9% in extended trading (after falling -0.98% in regular trading) after the world’s largest retailer reiterated its guidance for the first three months of the 2023 and the full year at its investor day. In February, the Walmart forecast consolidated net sales in the first quarter to be 4.5% to 5% higher than a year ago, and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of US$1.25-US$1.30. Johnson and Johnson rose over >2.5% in extended trading (extending a +1.05% rise in the regular session) after said it will pay US$8.9B over the next 25 years to settle allegations that the company’s baby powder and other talc products caused cancer. The company proposed the settlement in a securities filing. J&J’s subsidiary LTL Management also refiled for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after its first attempt was thwarted, the filing said. The broader S&P500 -0.58%, with Industrials (down -2.25%) and Energy (-1.72%) leading seven of the eleven primary sector lower. Ford Motor Co (up +0.32%) reported a +10.1% bump in U.S. vehicle sales during the first quarter as it sold 475,906 units. The Nasdaq -0.52%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -1.81%.

Both the Dow and S&P500 extended their rally into a fourth consecutive session as investors digested news of surprise crude production cuts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and their key producing allies (a group known as OPEC+) that saw oil prices soar and potentially muddy the inflation picture - Dow gained +327-points or +0.98%. Health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group Inc was the leading index performer, rallying +4.57% after the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday (31 March) announced updated payment rates. The agency said that Medicare Advantage plans would see an increase in revenue of more than 3% from 2023 to 2024. The advance notice of the payment scale had pegged the increase at just over 1%. Separately, Chevron Corp gained +416%, tracking strong crude prices. Walmart Inc (+0.84%) convenes a two-day investor meeting beginning tonight AEST . The broader S&P500 added +0.37%, with Energy (up +4.91%) the clear outperformer and leading seven of the eleven primary sectors higher. Marathon Oil Corp jumped +9.93% and Conocophillips +9.26%. Tesla Inc fell -6.12% after reporting on Sunday (2 April) that it delivered 422,875 vehicles in the first quarter, just shy of the 432K units projected by analysts. The technology centric Nasdaq eased -0.27%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 dipped -0.01%.

US equity markets staged a broad-based rally on Friday (31 March) to close out a volatile March with monthly and quarterly gains - Dow gained +415-points or +1.26%. McDonald’s Corp (+up 0.66%) is temporarily closing its U.S. offices this week as it prepares to inform corporate employees about its layoffs as part of a broader company restructuring, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday (2 April).The broader S&P500 rose +1.44%, with Consumer Discretionary (up +2.62%), Real Estate (+2.18%) and Communications Services (+2.08%) all gaining over >2% to lead all eleven primary sectors higher. Tesla Inc (up +6.24%) reported on Sunday (2 April) that it delivered 422,875 vehicles in the first quarter, just shy of the 432K units projected by economists. The electric vehicle manufacturer also reported production of 440,808 units for the quarter. Tesla is due to report first-quarter earnings after the close of trading on 19 April. The technology-centric Nasdaq rallied +1.74%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 climbed +1.93%. US equity and bond markets are CLOSED on Friday night AEST (7 April) for Good Friday.

US equity markets logged back-to- back gains ahead of the release of key inflation figures tonight AEST - Dow rose +141-points or +0.43%. Boeing Co rose +1.48%, with Reuters reporting that the company’s CEO of commercial airplanes Stan Deal said that the 737 MAX production rate would go higher “soon.” The broader S&P500 climbed +0.57%, with Real Estate (up +1.22%) and Information Technology (+1.14%) leading ten of the eleven primary sectors higher. Financials (down -0.37%) was the only primary sector to settle in the red. The Nasdaq rallied +0.72% to 12,013.47, touching its highest intra-session level since 15 February (12,044.79). The technology-centric index is up +17.6% from its most recent low hit on 28 December. The level needed to enter a new bull market is 12,255.95, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Chip stocks continued to perform strongly. The more concentrated Nasdaq-100 index (up +0.91%) which tracks the top 100 non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange, exited a bear market on Wednesday (29 March), and is currently up +21.4% from its 28 December 28 closing low, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Advanced Micro Devices Inc rose +1.86%, Intel Corp +1.81% and NVIDIA Corp +1.48%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 eased -0.18%.

US equity markets rallied, with the S&P500 climbing back above the >4,000 level - Dow gained +323-points or +1.00%. Intel Corp jumped +7.61% following an investor presentation that provided more detail about the company’s plans to reverse a slide in manufacturing and market share of data-centre chips. The broader S&P500 climbed +1.42% to 4,027.81, marking the indice’s highest settlement since 6 March (which was only days before the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) put a spotlight on risks in the U.S. banking system after the Federal Reserve’s yearlong stretch of quick rate hikes). Real Estate (up +2.31%) and Information Technology (+2.09%) both gained over >2% to lead all eleven primary sectors higher. Tesla Inc rose +2.48% and has added more than US$200B to its market capitalisation in the first three months of the year alongside what’s likely to be the best start to a year for the stock in its history. The electric-vehicle manufacturer as soared +54% so far in 2023, putting it on track to log its largest quarterly percentage gain since the fourth quarter of 2020, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The Nasdaq rallied +1.79%. Amazon.com Inc rose +3.10%, Meta Platforms Inc (+2.33%) and Netflix Inc (+2.63%) both rose over >2%. Apple Inc (up +1.98%) announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will begin on 5 June and run through 9 June. WWDC is Apple’s biggest conference of the year and typically sees the company unveil new products and features, and provide a preview of where the company is heading. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 gained +1.08%.

US equity markets logged modest declines, with a fresh rise in Treasury yields weighing on technology stocks - Dow slipped -38-points or -0.12%, The broader S&P500 eased -0.16%, with Communication Services (down -1.02%) leading six of the eleven primary sectors lower. Energy (up +1.45%) sat atop the primary sector leaderboard for a second consecutive session. The Nasdaq lost -0.45%. Apple Inc fell -0.40% and Google parent Alphabet Inc -1.65%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 dipped -0.06%.

US equity markets mostly advanced as investors welcomed waning signs of banking sector stress - Dow rose +195-points or +0.60%, with International Business Machines (IBM) Corp (up +3.21%) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (+2.87%) among the notable positive contributors. The broader S&P500 added +0.20%, with the Energy (up +2.10%) leading eight of the eleven primary sectors higher. Communication Services (down -1.08%) and Information technology (-0.85%) sat at the bottom of the primary sector leaderboard. The Nasdaq settled -0.47% lower. Apple Inc fell -1.23%, with a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealing that Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jeff Williams sold US$30M in stock last week. Mr Williams sale of 187,730 shares at an average price of US$159.76 was made in conjunction with a 10b5-1 trading plan, which lets executives and other company insiders arrange for stock sales to take place under certain conditions like timing and pricing. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 rose +1.08%.

US equity markets advanced after another volatile session as investors tried to shake off latest bank fears - Dow up +132-points or +0.41%. The broader S&P500 rose +0.56%, with more defensive sectors outperformed. Utilities (up +3.12%) and Real Estate (+2.57%) both rose over >2.5% to lead nine of the eleven primary sectors higher. Consumer Discretionary (down -0.35%) and Financials (-0.06%) were the only primary sectors to settle in the red. The Nasdaq added +0.31%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 gained +0.85%. Block Inc fell -1.94%, extending the previous session’s -14.82% tumble after short seller Hindenburg Research announced that the payment company was its latest short position, alleging that Block allowed criminal activity to operate with lax controls and “highly” inflates Cash App’s transacting user base, a key metric of performance.

US equity markets - Dow fell -530-points or -1.63%, unwinding an earlier rally of ~200-points. The broader S&P500 -1.65%, having been up as much as +0.90% at its session peak. Real Estate (down -3.64%), Financials (-2.44%), Consumer Discretionary (-2.20%) and Energy (-2.11%) all fell over >2% to lead all eleven primary sectors lower. The Nasdaq -1.60%, having traded as +1.3% higher earlier in the session. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -2.83%. Coinbase Global Inc fell over >13% in extended trading (extending an -8.16% decline recorded in regular trading) after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued the cryptocurrency exchange a Wells notice, warning that it identified potential violations of U.S. securities law.

US equity markets rallied as investors welcomed a renewed sense of calm following recent unrest in the banking sector - Dow rose +316-points or +0.98%. The broader S&P500 reclaimed the 4,000 mark, settling +1.30% higher at 4,002.87. It marked the indice’s first close above >4,000 since 6 March. Energy (up +3.45%) led eight of the eleven primary sectors higher, with Consumer Discretionary (+2.71%), Financials (+2.47%) and Communication Services (+2.45%) all rising over >2%. The more defensive sectors underperformed, with Utilities down -2.06%, Real Estate -0.66% and Consumer Staples -0.12%. Tesla Inc popped +7.82% after Moody’s upgraded Tesla to Baa3 rating from its junk-rated credit. Moody’s called the electric-vehicle maker the “foremost manufacturers of battery electric vehicles” and said the upgrade reflects Tesla’s prudent financial policy and management’s operational track record. The Nasdaq gained +1.58%. Nvidia Corp (up +1.15%) hosted its annual GTC developer conference overnight, with the chipmaker’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang announcing a wide-ranging set of partnerships and products that enable the latest wave of artificial intelligence (AI) services. Mr Huang said Nvidia’s “biggest collaboration” is its partnership with Google Cloud Platform. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 gained +1.88%.

US equity markets rebounded amid optimism that the banking sector crisis may be easing, and with the Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy meeting getting underway tonight AEST - Dow rebounded +383-points or +1.20%, recouping last Friday’s (17 March) losses and logging its best single session percentage gain since 6 January. The broader S&P500 +0.89%, wit Energy (up +2.11%) and Materials (+2.01%) up over >2% and leading all eleven primary sectors higher. The Nasdaq +0.39%. Amazon.com Inc settled -1.25% lower after the company announced a further 9,000 layoffs over the next few weeks. The move primarily affects Amazon Web Services, People Experience and Technology Solutions, advertising and Twitch. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 gained +1.11%.

US equity markets retreated as concerns re-emerged around the stability of the banking sector - Dow fell -385-points or -1.19%, The broader S&P500 -1.10%, with Financials (down -3.29%) leading all eleven primary sectors lower on Friday 17 March). FedEx Corporation rallied +7.97% after the economic bellwether posted fiscal third quarter earnings after the close of the last Thursday’s (16 March) session that comfortably topped Wall Street estimates. The Nasdaq lost -0.74%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -2.56%.

US equity markets rallied as an agreement by a group of big banks to deposit US$30B with troubled lender First Republic Bank helped soothe fears of a rolling banking crisis - Dow gained +372-points or +1.2%, The broader S&P500 rose +1.80%, with Information Technology (up +2.82%) and Communication Services (+2.77%) rallying over >2.5% to lead nine of the eleven primary sectors higher. Consumer Staples (down -0.07%) and Real Estate (-0.06%) were the only primary sectors not to advance. Charles Schwab Corp fell -2.8% despite executives disclosing that they had bought nearly US$7M worth of the financial-services giant’s beaten-down stock. The Nasdaq continued to outperform, rallying +2.50%. The technology-centric index is up +5.19% thus far this week and is on track to log its best week of the calendar year-to-date. Adobe Inc gained +5.90% after the software company topped Wall Street expectations for the first quarter after the close of the previous session. Intel Corp climbed +6.23% after analysts at Susquehanna unwound their bearish call on the chip maker, writing that “things are moving enough in the right direction.” Nvidia Corp rallied +5.42%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.49.

US equity markets retreated as concerns around a banking crisis spread to Europe - Dow fell -281-points or -0.87%, paring an earlier decline of as much as 725-points. The broader S&P500 lost -0.70%, with the Energy sector (down -5.42%) under fresh pressure and leading six of the eleven primary sectors lower. Materials (down -3.28), Financials (-2.91%) and Industrials (-2.51%) all fell over >2.5%. Communication Services (up +1.50%) and Utilities (+1.34%) rose over >1% to sit atop the primary sector leaderboard. The technology-centric Nasdaq eked out a +0.05% rise and continued its recent outperformance as hawkish interest rate expectations recede. Apple Inc rose +0.26% and Microsoft Corp +1.78%. Meta Platforms Inc gained +1.92% after the Facebook parent company announced another round of job cuts and further reduced its expense targets earlier this week The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -1.74%.

US equity markets climbed and bonds retreated as some semblance of calm returned in the wake of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) late last week, and as investors parsed the latest monthly inflation figures - Dow gained +336-points or +1.06%, snapping a five session losing streak. The broader S&P500 +1.68%, with Communication Services (up +2.75%), Information Technology (+2.29%) and Financials (+2.12%) all advancing over to >2% to lead all eleven primary sectors higher. The technology centric Nasdaq rallied +2.14%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 rose +1.87%.

US equity markets weaker as the collapse of SVB Financial Group ‘s Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) continued to reverberate, and with investors eyeing tonight’s AEST inflation figures - Dow fell -91-points or -0.28%, extending declines into a fifth straight session but paring an earlier decline of ~284-points. Boeing Co added +0.15%, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the aircraft manufacturer is close to a deal under which two airlines in Saudi Arabia - Saudia, along with Riyadh Air - would buy nearly 80 wide-body 787 Dreamliners, with options for around 40 additional aircraft between the carriers. The broader S&P500 slipped -0.15%, with the Financials sector (down -3.85%) leading four of the eleven primary sectors lower. Energy (down -1.96%) and Materials (-1.09%) both fell over >1%. More defensive sectors sat atop the primary sector leaderboard, with Real Estate up +1.60%, Utilities +1.54% and Health Care +0.92%. The Nasdaq +0.45%. Apple Inc rose +1.33%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.49%.

US equity markets as regulators closed SVB Financial Group ‘s Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp took control on Friday (10 March), marking the largest demise of a U.S. bank since the 2008 financial crisis. The news somewhat overshadowed the latest monthly jobs report - Dow fell -345-points or -1.07%, its fourth straight day of declines to record its longest losing streak since December. Boeing Co (up +0.91%) was one of the few stocks to advance after U.S. aviation regulators cleared the aerospace and defence company to resume deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner jets. “The FAA may resume issuing airworthiness certificates next week,” a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said. The broader S&P500 lost -1.45%, with all eleven primary sectors settling in the red for a second consecutive session. Real Estate (down -3.25%) and Materials (-2.15%) were the worst performing sectors on Friday (10 March). Financials fell -1.76%, extending declines for the sector over the past two sessions to almost 6%. Goldman Sachs Group Inc shed -4.22% (extending the previous session’s -2.06% decline). Oracle Corp fell -3.22% after the software company reported fiscal third quarter revenue after the close of the previous session that fell a touch short of analysts’ expectations. The Nasdaq -1.76%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 dropped -2.95%.

US equity markets declined as investors turned their attention to tonight’s AEST latest official jobs figures - Dow fell -544-points or -1.66% to 32,255, closing below its 200-day moving average for the first time since 9 November last year The broader S&P500 -1.85%, Financials (down -4.17%) led all eleven primary sectors lower, with the sector posting its worst single-session decline since June 2020. All of the Materials (-2.54%), Consumer Discretionary (2.36%), Real Estate (-2.29%), and Communication Services (-2.22%) fell over >2%. The Nasdaq shed -2.05%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -2.81%.

US equity markets settled modestly higher as markets digested further remarks from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on the pace and duration of higher interest rate rises to fight inflation.- Dow eased -58-points or -0.18%, with Merck & Co Inc (down -2.68%) and Travelers Companies Inc (-1.44%) The broader S&P500 edged +0.14% higher, with Real Estate (up +1.32%) and Information Technology (+0.84%) offsetting falls for the Energy sector (down -1.02%). Tesla Inc fell -3.04% with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating two complaints of steering wheels coming off 2023 Model Y vehicles while vehicle was in motion. Occidental Petroleum Inc gained +2.14% after a new regulatory filing showed Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway added to its already large stake in the company. The Omaha-based conglomerate bought nearly 5.8M shares of the oil company in recent sessions, bumping Berkshire’s ownership to 22.2%. Eli Lily and Co fell ~0.45% in extended trading (after rising +0.61% in the regular session) after the Wall Street Journal reported that the company’s drug aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms start, solanezumab, had failed to slow down cognitive decline in healthy older adults at risk of developing the disease. The Nasdaq added +0.40%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 inched +0.04% higher. Uber Technologies Inc rose +2.15% after Bloomberg reported that the company is weighing a potential spinoff of its freight logistics unit.

US equity markets mixed, relinquishing earlier session gains as investors eyed a busy week on the economic calendar - Dow added +40-points or +0.12%, paring an earlier gain of as much as +181-points. Merck & Co Inc rallied +3.95% after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the addition of the intramuscular (IM) route of administration for the company’s MMRV (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus) family of vaccines. Merck also announced results from multiple studies The broader S&P500 settled +0.07% higher, having been up as much as 1% earlier in the session. Materials (down -1.65%) led six of the eleven primary sectors lower. Information Technology (up +0.53%) was the leading primary sector performer overnight. Apple Inc – which accounts for ~7% of the S&P500 - rose +1.85% to US$153.83, with a new analyst at Goldman Sachs initiating coverage on the technology giant with a ‘Buy’ rating and US$199 target price. The investment bank believes the market should be paying more attention to the company’s installed user base and recurring revenue growth from services, or as Goldman analysts put it, the “Apple-as-a-Service” opportunity. The Nasdaq slipped -0.11%, unwinding an earlier rally of as much as +1.2%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 fell -1.48%.

US equity markets rallied, recording their biggest one-day gains in at least a month on Friday (3 March) after Treasury yields retreated from recent highs ahead of a week that sees the US labour market take centra stage - Dow gained +387-points or +1.17%, The broader S&P500 rose +1.61%, with Information Technology (up +2.14%), Consumer Discretionary (+2.12%) and Communication Services (+2.10%) gaining over >2% to lead all eleven primary sectors higher. The Nasdaq rallied+1.97%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 gained +1.35%.

US equity markets climbed despite economic data exacerbating concerns that interest rates are set to stay higher for longer than previously forecast - Dow gained +342-points or +1.05% to 33,003.57. Salesforce Inc jumped +11.50% after the cloud client relationship management software group comfortably exceeded fourth quarter earnings per share (EPS) and revenue forecasts after the close of the previous session and provided very strong full year guidance. The broader S&P500 rose +0.76%, with Utilities (up +1.82%) leading nine of the eleven primary sectors higher and with six sectors climbing over >1%. Tesla Inc dropped -5.85% after the company failed to unveil details of any next-generation vehicles during its much-anticipated investor day on Wednesday (2 March). The Nasdaq climbed +0.73%. Advanced Micro Devices Inc gained +2.75% following a CNBC report that activist hedge fund Third Point had taken a passive stake in the chipmaker. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 added edged +0.21% higher.

A mixed start to March for US equity markets - Dow inched +5-points higher. 3M Co gained +2.29%, rebounding from a five month low after the maker of consumer, industrial and healthcare products said the U.S. Department of Defence’s records show that the “vast majority” of the 175,000 claimants in litigation over the company’s Combat Arms earplugs have “no hearing impairment” under American Medical Association standards. Some analysts had estimated potential liabilities from the litigation at ~US$14B. Caterpillar Inc rallied +3.81% after the construction- and mining-equipment maker said it reached a six-year “tentative labour agreement” with the United Autoworkers (UAW) union. The broader S&P500 eased -0.47%, with Utilities (down -1.72%), Real Estate (-1.49%), and Consumer Discretionary (-1.28%) all down over >1% and leading eight of the eleven primary sectors lower. Energy (up +1.94%) sat atop the primary sector leaderboard. Tesla Inc fell over >2.5% in extended trading (extending a -1.43% decline in the regular session) as the electric vehicle manufacturer’s Investor Day got underway. The Nasdaq lost -0.66%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 eked out a +0.07% gain.

The benchmark US indices retreated to round out a tough month for equity markets - Dow fell -232-points or -0.71% to 32,656.70, settling at its lowest level of 2023 to date (and logging its lowest close since 9 November). Goldman Sachs Group Inc fell -3.80% after hosting their 2023 investor day, with Chief Executive David Solomon acknowledging mistakes in an ill-fated foray into consumer banking and raising the prospect of selling parts of the business The broader S&P500 -0.30%, with Utilities (down -1.72%) and Energy (-1.44%) leading eight of the eleven primary sectors lower. Materials (up +0.45%) was the leading primary sector performer overnight. Tesla Inc eased -0.92% ahead of their Investor Day tonight AEST. The Nasdaq -0.10%. Applied Materials Inc outperformed its chipmaking peers, rising +3.64% after unveiling its Centura Sculpta patterning system that promises a lower cost way of etching the transistors into the silicon wafers used to make semiconductors. Intel Corp edged +0.12% higher, while Nvidia Corp fell -1.21%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 inched +0.04% higher. Paramount Global dropped -2.7% after The Wall Street Journal reported that the media and entertainment company had turned down a bid from former executive David Nevins to buy its Showtime streaming service for more than >US$3B.

US equity markets settled with modest gains after the benchmark indices recorded their worst weekly performance of 2023 last week - Dow added +72-points or +0.22%, The broader S&P500 gained +0.31%, with Consumer Discretionary (up +1.18%) and Industrials (+0.83%) leading seven of the eleven primary sectors higher overnight. More defensive sectors underperformed, with Utilities (down -0.77%), Health Care (0.31%) and Consumer Staples (-0.18%). Railroad operator Union Pacific Corp rallied +10.09% after the company announced that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) would step down in 2023, prompting an upgrade from Bank of America. Tesla Inc rose +5.46% following a Reuters report that the company’s Brandenburg plant in Germany hit a production rate of 4,000 vehicles per week ahead of schedule, quadrupling from May. The electric vehicle manufacturer hosts an Investor Day on Wednesday night AEST (1 March) Albemarle Corp rose +3.01% after Wells Fargo named the specialty chemicals company a signature pick, noting: “ALB remains our preferred growth name in chemicals, given its position as one of the world’s largest low-cost lithium suppliers.” The Nasdaq rose +0.63%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 settled +0.31% higher.

US equity markets fell on Friday (24 February) to wrap up their worst weekly performance of 2023 as the latest economic data was seen cementing expectations the Federal Reserve will continue lifting its key interest rate above >5% in its effort to bring down inflation - Dow down -337-points or -1.02%, dropping over >500-points at its session lows on Friday (24 February). Boeing Co fell -4.8% following confirmation after the close of the previous session that the airplane maker had temporarily halted deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner to conduct additional analysis on a fuselage component. Home Depot Inc (down -0.89%) and Microsoft Corp (-2.18%) were other notable index drags. The broader S&P500 fell -1.05%, with Real Estate (down -1.82%), Information Technology (-1.77%) and Consumer Discretionary (-1.56%) all down over >1.5% to lead nine of the eleven primary sectors lower. Materials (up +0.65%) and Financials (+0.10%) were the only primary sectors to advance. Adobe Inc fell -7.63% after a Bloomberg report, citing people familiar with the matter, said the U.S. Justice Department is preparing a lawsuit to block the company’s $20B acquisition of start-up Figma. The Nasdaq shed -1.69%. Nvidia Corp lost -1.60% Goldman Sachs upgraded the chipmaker on the back of its fourth-quarter results. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.92%.

US equity markets advanced, with the S&P500 snapping a four session losing streak after a choppy session as investors continued to weight the path of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes - Dow up +109-points or +0.33%, Boeing Co fell over >2.5% in extended trading (after a +1.15% gain in the regular session) after the company and the Federal Aviation Administration reported a temporary halt to deliveries of its 787 Dreamliners so it can do additional analysis on a fuselage component. The broader S&P500 rose +0.53%, with Information Technology (+1.63%) and Energy (+1.3%) leading seven of the eleven primary sectors higher. The Nasdaq rose +0.72%. Nvidia Corp soared +14.02% - extending the year-to-date rally to +59% - as investors continued to cheer the chipmaker’s fiscal fourth quarter released after the close of the previous session and the growth opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI). The small capitalisation Russell 2000 gained +0.71%.

US equity markets modesty weaker as investors digested the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s most recent monetary policy meeting - Dow eased -85-points or -0.26%, The broader S&P500 slipped -0.16% to extend losses into a fourth straight session, with Real Estate (down -1.02%) and Energy (-0.77%) leading nine of the eleven primary sectors lower. Materials (up +0.68%) and Consumer Discretionary (+0.52%) were the only primary sectors to advance. The Nasdaq added +0.13%. Intel Corp fell -2.26% after the struggling chipmaker cut its dividend by more than >60% to US$0.125c per share. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 gained +0.34%.

US equity markets resumed trading following the Presidents Day holiday and booked their worst single session declines since 15 December last year as a fresh rise in Treasury yields continued to pressure market sentiment - Dow fell -697-points or -2.06%, The broader S&P500 -2.00% to 3,997.34, falling for a third consecutive session and erasing all of February’s gains. The index also cut its 2023 gain in half (to +4.11%), falling more than >4.7% from its 2 February intra-session peak (4,195.44). Consumer Discretionary (down -3.34), Information Technology (-2.40%), Industrials (-2.29%), Communication Services (-2.29%) and Financials (-2.01%) all declined over >2% to lead all elven primary sectors lower. The Nasdaq shed -2.50%. Microsoft Corp (down -2.09%) said it will bring its Xbox PC games to Nvidia Corp’s cloud gaming service, after the chipmaker had reportedly expressed opposition to a major Microsoft gaming deal. Nvidia lost -3.43% ahead of the release of its quarterly result tonight. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 dropped -2.99%.

US equity and bond markets were CLOSED overnight in observance of the Presidents Day holiday. On the geopolitical front, tensions between the US and China were ratcheted up as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi of consequences should Beijing provide material support to Russia's invasion of Ukraine after the men met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. London's FTSE 100 edged +0.12% higher, with the major miners enjoying a solid session. Anglo American Plc rose +3.99%, Glencore Plc +1.96% and Rio Tinto Plc +2.97%. Antofagasta Plc (up +1.70%), HSBC Group Holdings Plc (-0.06%), Intercontinental Hotel Group Plc (unchanged) and Smith & Nephew Plc (up +0.56%) release full year results tonight AEST (21 February), while Virgin Money UK hosts its Annual General Meeting (AGM). In UK economic data, flash readings of the S&P Global/CIPS Manufacturing Services PMIs for February are released tonight AEST.

US equity markets mostly weaker on Friday (17 February) as robust economic data and hawkish commentary from Federal Reserve officials continued to fan investor fears that the Federal Reserve will need to apply a brake to the US economy for longer than anticipated just last month - Dow rose +130-points or +0.39%, with biotechnology company Amgen Inc (up +2.69%) and diversified health care company UnitedHealth Group Inc (+2.41%) among the leading index performers. The broader S&P500 eased -0.28%, with Energy (down -3.65%) the major drag. The more defensive Consumer Staples (+up +1.29%) and Utilities (+1.00%) outperformed. Tesla Inc rose +3.10%, with Bloomberg reporting after the close that the electric vehicle manufacturer is considering buying Canadian miner Sigma Lithium Corp (down -2.64%). Tesla has been talking with advisers about a potential bid, and Sigma Lithium is one of “multiple mining options” being explored, the report said. The Nasdaq fell -0.58%. Meta Platforms Inc (up +0.26%) announced a new paid verification subscription service called Meta Verified over the weekend. For US$11.99 per month on the web and US$14.99 per month on iOS, users on Meta’s Instagram and Facebook platforms will be able to submit their government ID and get a blue verification badge. The service will be introduced in Australia and New Zealand this week, and more countries will follow, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 added +0.21%.

US equity markets retreated amid fresh evidence of stubborn inflation, and following some hawkish commentary from Federal Reserve speakers - Dow fell -431-points or -1.3%, Microsoft Corp and Walt Disney Co contributed the most to the Dow’s decline, down -2.66% and -3.12% respectively. The broader S&P500 shed -1.4%, with Consumer Discretionary (down -2.16%), Information Technology (-1.75%) and Communication Services (-1.55%) all down over >1.5% to lead all eleven primary sectors lower. Bank of America Corp (down -0.79%) is planning to cut jobs in its investment bank, according to a Bloomberg News report, albeit the cuts could affect less than 200 banking globally according to people familiar with the matter. Tesla Inc fell -5.69% after the company issued a voluntary recall notice for 362,758 vehicles in the US equipped with the company’s experimental driver-assistance software, which is marketed as Full Self-Driving Beta or FSD Beta. The electric vehicle manufacturer will deliver an over-the-air software update to cars to address the issues. The FSD Beta system may cause crashes by allowing the affected vehicles to: “Act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution,” according to a safety recall report on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Nasdaq dropped -1.78%. Cisco Systems Inc rallied +5.24% after reported better-than-expected fourth quarter earnings per share (US0.88c versus consensus estimates for US$0.86c) and revenue (US$13.59B versus consensus US$13.43B) after the close a day earlier. Roku Inc soared +11.15% after the streaming service reported a narrower-than-expected fourth quarter loss per share (-US$1.70 versus consensus US$1.73), and better-than-expected revenue after the close of the previous session. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.96%.

US equity markets advanced as investors digested stronger-than-expected retail sales figures for January, the latest in a string of economic data that has fuelled investor bets that the Federal Reserve will have to raise interest rates further to curb inflation - Dow edged +39-points or +0.11%, rallying more than >250-points from its intrasession low. The broader S&P500 +0.28%, with Communication Services (+1.017%) and Consumer Discretionary (+1.16%) both rising over >1% to lift nine of the eleven primary sectors. Energy (down -1.78%) and Health Care (-0.51%) settled in the red. The Nasdaq +0.92%. Airbnb Inc jumped +13.35% after reporting record fourth-quarter revenue and profit after the close of the previous session to achieve its first profitable year. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 rose +1.09%.

US equity markets settled modestly weaker as investors parsed the latest inflation figures - Dow fell -157-points or -0.46%, Boeing Co (up +1.30%) The broader S&P500 dipped -0.03%, with Real Estate (down -1.04%) and Consumer Staples (-0.93%) leading seven of the eleven primary sectors lower. Consumer Discretionary (up +1.18%) sat atop the primary sector leaderboard. Ford Motor Co (down -0.92%) flagged plans to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe over the next three years as it looks to lower costs and improve profitability while shifting production toward electric vehicles. The company also temporarily halted production and delivery of its electric pickup truck due to a battery problem. Occidental Petroleum Corp rose +2.44% after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (up +2.44%) disclosed that it increased its stake in the oil and gas company to 28.0% from 21.4%. Berkshire Hathaway also increased its stake in Apple Inc (down -0.42%) during the fourth quarter to 5.8%, according to the latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) The Nasdaq added +0.57%, recouping earlier session declines. Tesla Inc rallied +7.51% and chipmaker Nvidia Corp +5.43%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 slipped -0.06%.

US equity markets advanced as investors’ attention turned to tonight’s AEST January inflation figures - Dow rose +377-points or +1.11%, underpinned by solid gains for Microsoft Corp (up +3.12%), Nike Inc (+2.39%), Salesforce (+2.42%) and Intel Corp (+2.70%). The broader S&P500 climbed +1.14%, with Information Technology (up +1.77%), Consumer Discretionary (+1.46%), Consumer Staples (+1.17%), Financials (+1.10%) and Communication Services (+1.10%) all rising over >1% and leading ten of the eleven primary sectors higher. Energy (down -0.61%) was the only primary sector not to advance overnight. Tesla Inc lost -1.14%. Even those losses combined with those from shorting Coinbase Global Inc (down -1.21%), Microsoft Corp and Lucid Group Inc (up +1.69%) still don’t reach the losses incurred by Tesla shorts. Data compiled by S3 partners shows hedge funds have lost US$7.56B shorting the electric vehicle manufacturer on a mark-to-market basis over the last 30 days. That’s more than double the losses incurred by the second-least profitable short on the list, Apple Inc (up +1.88%), at US$2.6B. The Nasdaq rallied +1.48%. Meta Platforms Inc rose +3.03% following a Financial Times report saying further job cuts could be in the pipeline. In November, the Facebook parent announced it was laying off around 11K employees, which equates to 13% of its staff. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 rose +1.07%.

US equity markets retreated on Friday (10 February) as investors digested mixed corporate earnings and eyed the latest inflation figures later this week - Dow rose +169-points or +0.50%, The broader S&P500 added +0.22%, with Energy (up +3.92%) leading eight of the eleven primary sectors higher. ConocoPhillips rallied +4.67% and ExxonMobil Corp +4.22%. The Nasdaq eased -0.61%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 added +0.18%.

US equity markets retreated, reversing earlier session gains - Dow fell -249-points or -0.73%, unwinding an earlier rally of over >300-points. Walt Disney Co fell -1.27% after the entertainment giant topped fiscal first-quarter expectations, and Chief Executive Bob Iger announced significant restructuring plans after the close of the previous session. Activist investor Nelson Peltz also called time on his proxy fight against Disney. Salesforce Inc rose +2.38% following news after the close of the previous session that a fifth activist investor, Third Point LLC, had acquired a stake in the company. The broader S&P500 -0.88%, giving up an earlier ~0.9% gain. Communication Services (down -2.80%) was the worst performing sector for a second straight session and led all eleven primary sectors lower. Tesla Inc (up +3.00%) extended its rally into an eighth straight session and has more than doubled since touching a 52-week low. Elon Musk said the electric vehicle maker’s Master Plan 3 would be unveiled at the company’s annual meeting and investor event on 1 March. The Nasdaq -1.02%, having been ~1.4% higher earlier in the session. Google parent Alphabet Inc fell -0.69% (following a -7.68% drop in the previous session) a day after the company held an event to show off its new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot called Bard, and as investors grew concerned around rising competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) space. Microsoft Corp (-1.17%) held an event to show off its own AI technologies in its competing search engine earlier in the week. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -1.33%.

US equity markets retreated as investors continued to ponder the latest observations from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a day earlier, and comments from a parade of central bank officials overnight - Dow fell -208-points or -0.61%. Salesforce Inc rose ~0.8% in extending trading (after falling -0.96% in regular trading) following reports a fifth activist investor, Third Point LLC, had acquired a stake in the company. Salesforce has also been reportedly targeted by ValueAct Capital Partners LP, Elliott Investment Management LP, Starboard Value LP and Inclusive Capital amid slowing growth. The broader S&P500 shed -1.11%, with Communication Services (down -4.13%) leading all eleven primary sectors lower as Alphabet Inc shed -7.68% after the company held an event to show off its new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot called Bard, one day after competitor Microsoft Corp (-0.31%) held an event to show off AI technologies in its competing search engine. Tesla Inc rose +% The Nasdaq dropped -1.68%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -1.52%. Traders noted there may be more clarity on the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate move with the publication of consumer price index, retail and inflation data next week.

US equity markets advanced after a volatile session as investors digested the latest observations from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell - Dow gained +266-points or +0.78%, The broader S&P500 +1.29%, with Energy (up +3.08%), Communication Services (+2.48%) and Information Technology (+2.46%) climbing over >2.5% to lead eight of the eleven primary sectors higher. The more defensive Consumer Staples (down -0.36%), Real Estate (-0.31%) and Utilities (-0.08%) settled in the red. More companies announcing job cuts, with eBay Inc (up +0.38%) flagging plans to cut 500 jobs or ~4% of its workforce, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Zoom Video Communications Inc jumped +9.85% after the company announced plans to cut about 1,300 employees, or ~15% of its workforce. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Yuan wrote in a blog post shared to the company’s website that as the world continues to adjust to life after the pandemic, the company needs to adapt to the “uncertainty of the global economy” as well as “its effect on our customers.” The Nasdaq outperformed with +1.90% rally. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 +0.76%.

US equity markets retreated as investors eyed a fresh rise in Treasury yields following last Friday’s (3 February) jobs report, and a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tonight AEST - Dow slipped -35-points or -0.10%, paring an earlier decline of over >240-points. The broader S&P500 fell -0.61%, with Communication Services (down -1.31%), Information Technology (-1.22%) and Materials (-1.08%) all declining over >1% to lead nine of the eleven primary sectors lower. The more defensive Utilities (up +0.87%) and Consumer Staples (+0.02%) were the only primary sectors to advance. The Nasdaq lost -1.00%. Dell Technologies Inc fell -3.03% after joining the ranks of other technology companies slashing jobs, confirming in a regulatory filing that it will be reducing its workforce by 5%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 declined -1.40%. After Bed Bath & Beyond BBBY more than doubled regular trading (before settling +92.13% higher), the company revealed plans to sell convertible preferred stock as well as warrants to purchase common shares and convertible preferred stock. The stock tumbled over >30% in after hours trading.

US equity markets retreated on Friday (3 February) as investors digested the latest jobs report and any monetary policy implications - Dow fell -128-points or -0.38% despite Apple Inc (up +2.44%) bucking the weaker trend following the release of their fourth quarter result after the closing bell of last Thursday’s (2 February) session that saw revenue, profit, and sales fall short of consensus forecasts for many of its lines of business. Apple recorded its first revenue decline (down -5% year-on-year to US$117.15B versus consensus US$121.10B) since 2016. The stock reversed earlier session decline of ~2%

US equity markets climbed as investors seized on signs that interest rates are close to peaking on both sides of the Atlantic - Dow slipped -39-points or -0.11%, The broader S&P500 gained +1.47%, with Communication Services (up +6.74%) leading seven of the eleven primary sectors higher. Consumer Discretionary (+3.08%) and Information Technology (+2.78%) both climbed over >2.5%, while Energy sat at the foot of the primary sector leaderboard for a second straight session with a -2.52% decline. FedEx Corp rose +% buoyed by upgrades from Bank of America and Citi. The technology-centric Nasdaq outperformed for a third consecutive session, rallying +3.25% and remaining on track to log its fifth consecutive weekly gain. The index is ~19.5% above its recent low in late December and on the cusp of entering a bull market. Meta Platforms Inc soared +23.28% after providing better-than-expected first quarter revenue guidance after the close of the previous session. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 rose +2.06%.