US equity markets weaker after another volatile session ahead the long weekend that saw tensions between Russia and Ukraine intensify and trillions of dollars in options and futures on stocks, indexes and exchange traded funds (ETF) expire - Dow down -233-points or -0.68%, with Intel Corp (down -5.32%) the biggest index laggard as Bank of America reiterated an ‘underperform rating’ on the company. The broader S&P500 -0.72%, with Information Technology (down -1.10%) leading ten of the eleven primary sectors lower. Consumer Staples (up +0.11%) was the only primary sector to edge higher. Ford Motor Co rose +2.85% amid after Bloomberg News reported that the company is considering separating its electric-vehicle (EV) operation from its legacy car and truck manufacturing, a move seen boosting its competitiveness against singularly EV-focused makes such as Tesla Inc (down -2.21%). The technology-centric Nasdaq lost -1.23%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 fell -0.93%. Roku Inc tumbled -22.29% in after the streaming company’s issued an underwhelming outlook for the current quarter after the closing bell of the previous session. US equity and bond markets are CLOSED tonight AEST for the Presidents’ Day holiday.
