US markets - Dow slipped -13-points or -0.06% , with Merck (down -%) and Goldman Sachs (-0.67%) the worst performing index constituent. The broader S&P500 +0.07%, with consumer staples (down -0.5%) and financials (-0.4%) the key laggard sectors. The technology-centric NASDAQ +0.41% to log back-to-back record closing highs (7,637.86), with Amazon.com Inc rising +1.1% and Netflix Inc +1.9%. Apple Inc (up 0.8%) hit a fresh record all time high. Tesla Inc fell -1.89% ahead of its annual shareholder meeting. The Nasdaq also marked an intra-session record (7,644.48), its first such record since 13 March. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 index also logged another record closing high with a +0.68% rise (to 1,664.63). China has reportedly offered the US an olive branch on the trade front, offering to buy an additional US$70B in US agricultural and energy products if the US backs off proposed tariffs on imports of Chinese products (source: Wall Street Journal). Elsewhere, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said President Donald Trump is considering having separate talks with Canada and Mexico as North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations continue.
