Record highs for both the S&P500 and Nasdaq US markets - Dow lost -79-points or -0.29% with Boeing Co (down -3.11%) weighing on the index after the aerospace giant posted a US$2.9B (US$5.82 per share) loss in the second quarter - its worst ever - and warned it could suspend production of its flagship 737 Max jet if delays worsen. Caterpillar Inc fell -4.5% after the company posted disappointing second-quarter results as higher material costs including tariffs and lower demand in China dented its second quarter profit. The heavy machinery manufacturer also lowered full-year earnings guidance to be at the lower end of previous range of US$12.06 to US$13.06, short of the estimate of US$12.24 per share. The broader S&P500 +0.47% to 3019.56, The technology-centric NASDAQ gained +0.85% to 8,321.50, propelled by a rally in chip stocks Texas Instruments rallied +7.44% after posting strong second quarter numbers after the close of the previous session. The Russell 2000 index of small-capitalisation stocks rose 1.64% (to 1,580.42) and is now up +17.19% for the year.
