Thursday, 1 June 2023: US equity markets retreated but settled off their worst levels of the session

US equity markets retreated but settled off their worst levels of the session ahead of a House vote on the federal debt-ceiling deal this morning AEST to prevent a potential default - Dow fell -135-points or -0.41%, The broader S&P500 lost -0.61%, with Energy (down -1.88%), Industrials (-1.40%), Financials (-1.22%), Materials (-1.12%) and Information Technology (-1.09%) all falling over >1% to lead seven of the eleven primary sectors lower. More defensive sectors outperformed, including Utilities (up +0.96%), Health Care (+0.85%) and Real Estate (+0.66%) all advancing over >0.50%. The Nasdaq -0.63%. The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -1.00%.