US equity markets climbed to cap a strong week, with the market processing another round of coronavirus stimulus headlines - Dow gained +161-points or +0.57%, with Microsoft Corp (up +2.48%) and Salesforce.Com Inc (+2.21%) the leading index performers. The broader S&P500 +0.88%, with Information Technology (up +1.54%) and Consumer Discretionary (+1.50%) leading eight of the eleven primary sectors higher. Energy (down -1.59%) was the clear underperforming sector. AT&T Inc lost -0.3% after the Wall Street Journal reported that the company is planning thousands of job cuts in its WarnerMedia unit as it seeks to cut costs by up to 20%. The technology-centric Nasdaq rose +1.39%. Amazon.com Inc (up +3.01%) host their 2020 Prime Day on the 13 and 14 October. It’s usually a summertime event, but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 index added +0.50%. In merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, the Wall Street Journal reported that Advanced Micro Devices Inc (down -4.1%) is in advanced talks to buy rival chip maker Xilinx Inc (up 12%), citing people familiar with the matter. The deal could be valued at more than >US$30B and marking the latest big tie-up in the rapidly consolidating semiconductor industry.
