US equity markets fell as investors digested some weak economic data and worked their way through the busiest day on the US second quarter earnings calendar - Dow fell -226-points or -0.85% The broader S&P500 eased -0.38%, with Energy (down -4.1%) leading eight of the eleven primary sectors lower. Information Technology was leading primary sector performer with a +0.53% gain. However, the technology-centric NASDAQ rose +0.43% ahead of the release of quarterly results from four technology behemoths (representing almost US$5 trillion in market capitalisation) after the closing bell.
There were no signs of progress toward a coronavirus aid package as lawmakers face a self-imposed Friday (31 July) deadline to work out a deal. Supplemental unemployment benefits, which have been credited with helping to cushion the blow of the pandemic, are due to expire tonight AEST. Elsewhere, President Trump floated the idea via a series of tweets of delaying the 3 November presidential election amid concerns around mail voting fraud.
