Morgans AM: Friday, 3 March 2023

US equity markets climbed despite economic data exacerbating concerns that interest rates are set to stay higher for longer than previously forecast - Dow gained +342-points or +1.05% to 33,003.57. Salesforce Inc jumped +11.50% after the cloud client relationship management software group comfortably exceeded fourth quarter earnings per share (EPS) and revenue forecasts after the close of the previous session and provided very strong full year guidance. The broader S&P500 rose +0.76%, with Utilities (up +1.82%) leading nine of the eleven primary sectors higher and with six sectors climbing over >1%. Tesla Inc dropped -5.85% after the company failed to unveil details of any next-generation vehicles during its much-anticipated investor day on Wednesday (2 March). The Nasdaq climbed +0.73%. Advanced Micro Devices Inc gained +2.75% following a CNBC report that activist hedge fund Third Point had taken a passive stake in the chipmaker. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 added edged +0.21% higher.