US equity markets drifted lower on Friday (12 May), forfeiting earlier gains in late morning trade after consumer sentiment data from the University of Michigan recorded a notable increase in consumer inflation expectations - Dow dipped -9-points or -0.03%, The broader S&P500 reversed earlier gains to settle -0.16% lower, Consumer Discretionary (down -0.89%) leading four of the eleven primary sectors lower on Friday (12 May). The more defensive Utilities (up +0.44%) and Consumer Staples (+0.36%) sectors outperformed. The Nasdaq fell -0.35%, with Apple Inc down -0.54% and Meta Platforms Inc -0.84%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.22%. Small cap stocks have struggled since turmoil in U.S. regional banks erupted in early March, with the Russell 2000 down ~7% since 8 March.
