Global markets were largely down overnight - though not a huge...

Global markets were largely down overnight - though not a huge reversal.

In Europe, the FTSE fell 7 points (.085%), the DAX fell 130 points (.69%) and the CAC fell 51 points (.63%).

In the US, the DOW fell 38 points (.097%), the NBI fell 3 points (.068%), the NASDAQ Composite fell 44 points (.026%) and the Russell small cap index fell 13 points (.63%).

Dow Jones index hit a new record of 40,000 points - this was the fastest 10k gain on record. The dow finished slightly lower at the close of trading.

US markets are being driven by high quarterly earnings reports and renewed optimism of interest rate cuts.

US jobless claims fell to 222k - down from 232k in the previous week.

China to introduce measures to ease the property crisis.

US Treasury 10 year bond yield is at 4.38%.

Oil prices ticked up a bit - Brent crude at US$83.40 per barrel.

Gold is at US$2,379 per oz.

BITCOIN price is US$65,247.