US equity markets rallied, buoyed by fresh gains for the technology sector - Dow rose +189-points or +0.49% to snap a four session losing streak, with Apple Inc (up +1.97%) the leading performer in the 30-stock index after scrapping its “buy now, pay later” service, which it launched in the US only last year. The tech giant says it is pivoting to a new instalment loans service offered through third-party credit and debit cards. Merck & Co rose over >1% in after-hours trading (having declined -0.94% in the regular session) after receiving US regulatory approval for its next-generation vaccine (Capvaxive) to protect adults from pneumococcal disease, which is set to challenge Pfizer Inc’s (down -2%) blockbuster Prevnar shot.