US equity markets retreated for a second straight session as trading resumed following the Easter break, relinquishing gains in the final hour of the session as the first quarter earnings season prepared to move into full swing - Dow eased -40-points or -0.11% . The broader S&P500 dipped -0.02% despite a +1.51% rally for the Energy sector. Healthcare (down -1.12%) and Consumer Staples (-0.81%) led six of the eleven primary sectors lower. The Nasdaq slipped -0.14%. Twitter Inc gained +7.48% to US$48.45 after Elon Musk last Thursday (15 April) offered to buy the social media company for US$54.20 a share last. Twitter adopted a limited duration shareholder rights plan, often called a “poison pill,” a day after Mr Musk’s US$43B offer. Under the new structure, if any person or group acquires beneficial ownership of at least 15% of Twitter’s outstanding common stock without the board’s approval, other shareholders will be allowed to purchase additional shares at a discount. The plan is set to expire on 14 April, 2023. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -0.74%.
