US equity markets advanced after posting a sharp rebound last Friday (6 February), with technology again leading the gains - Dow inched +20-points or +0.04% higher to a fresh record closing high of 50,135.87 a day after the 30-stock index has climbed above the 50,000 level for the first time. Microsoft Corp (up +3.05%) was the leading Dow component, while Caterpillar Inc (+2.19%), Cisco Systems Inc (2.31%) and Nvidia Corp (2.5%) all climbed over >2%. Merck & Co Inc fell -3.51%, while Travelers Companies Inc (down -2.88%), Nike Inc (-2.36%) and Amgen Inc (-2.21%) all fell over >2%.