Fresh gains for US equity markets in what was an abbreviated session ahead of the Fourth of July holiday tonight AEST, with both the Dow and Nasdaq joining the S&P500 index in posting fresh record highs. The gains came after another round of soft economic data that further fueled investors' expectations of interest rate cuts - Dow up +179-points or +0.67% to settle at is best levels of the session and log a record intra-day and closing high (26,966) . It was the first record for the Dow since 3 October, 2018, marking 188 sessions and the longest period between record for the index since it went 290 sessions without hitting an all-time high between 19 May, 2015 and 12 July, 2016 (source: Dow Jones Market Data). Boeing Co (up +0.09%) has $100 million to support the families of victims and others affected by two crashes of its 737 Max jetliner, which killed 346 people and have led to scores of lawsuits. The broader S&P500 rose +0.77% to notch its third consecutive record close (2,995.82) and move within touching distance of the 3,000 mark. The technology-centric NASDAQ gained +0.75% to 8,170.23 and its first record closing high since 3 May. Symantec Corp surged +13.57% following a Reuters report that the cybersecurity company is in talks to be acquired by chipmaker Broadcom Inc (down -3.5%. The two companies are targeting an announcement by mid-July. US equity and bond markets are closed tonight AEST for the Independence Day holiday.