US equity markets steadied ahead of the release of key inflation data tonight AEST and with technology stocks regaining some composure after steep declines - Dow eased -84-points or -0.26%, booking a fourth consecutive session of losses (to be down -5.67%, its largest four-day percentage decline since the stretch ending 29 October, 2020). The index traded in an ~850-point range overnight, climbing as much as 500-points and sliding as much as -350-points. International Business Machines (IBM) (down -3.95%), Home Depot Inc (-1.98%), 3M Co (-2.14%) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (-2.44%) were among notable drags on the 30-stock index. The broader S&P500 added +0.25% to 4,001.05 after sliding below <4,000 to its lowest level since March 2021 in the previous session. Information Technology rose +1.58% to lead four of the eleven primary sectors higher. Real Estate fell -2.28% to be the worst primary sector overnight. Pfizer Inc (up +1.75%) announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd (+68.39%) for US$11.6B in cash. Tesla Inc fell -%, with Reuters reporting that electric vehicle maker had suspended production at its Shanghai plant, this time due to supply problems. The Nasdaq gained +0.98%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 dipped -0.02%.
