US equity markets advanced after the latest inflation data cemented expectations for a quarter-point interest-rate cut by the Federal Reserve next week - Dow eased -99-points or -0.22% , with Johnson & Johnson (down -1.74%) and McDonald’s Corp (-1.53%) down over >1.5%. Apple Inc lost -0.52% after scaling a record intra-day high (US$250.80) earlier in the session. Nvidia Corp gained +3.14%, while Amazon.com Inc (up +2.32%) and Nike Inc (+2.75%) climbed over >2%.