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.
