US equity markets retreated as investors parsed the latest monetary policy pronouncements from the Federal Reserve and a host of notable corporate earnings releases - Dow fell -165-points or -0.48% . Visa Inc rose +1.5% after the financial services giant’s better-than-expected fiscal second quarter numbers after the close of the previous session. The broader S&P500 dipped -0.08% after recording a fresh record intra-day high (4,181.78), with the Information Technology sector (down -0.96%) offsetting strong gains for the Energy sector (up +3.35%). The Nasdaq eased -0.28%. Microsoft Corp (down -2.83%) and Advanced Micro Devices (-1.40%) both retreated despite logging solid quarterly results after the close of the previous session. However, Google parent Alphabet Inc rose +3.16% after the company’s better-than-expected first quarter numbers and US$50B share buyback announcement after the closing bell of Tuesday’s (28 April) session. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 inched +0.13% higher. In merger and acquisition (M&A) news, Verizon Communications Inc is reportedly exploring a sale of assets including Yahoo and AOL, as the telecommunications giant looks to exit an expensive and unsuccessful bet on digital media. The sales process, which includes private-equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc could lead to a deal worth US$4B to US$5B, according to people familiar with the matter.
