US equity markets settled with modest declines following the recent Nvidia Corp (up +0.35%) fuelled rally, with traders eyeing gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation data later in the week - Dow eased -62-points or -0.16% to 39,069.23 after logging its 14th record close of 2024 last Friday (23 February). Amazon.com Inc (down -0.15%) joined the 30-stock index overnight, replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (-3.41%). The Dow’s holdings are weighted according to stock price, not market capitalisation. Chevron Corp (down -0.14%) warned that its $53B acquisition of Hess Corp (fell over >4% in extended trading after rising +0.57% in the regular session) could be thwarted by rival oil groups ExxonMobil Corp (+0.39%) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, which are asserting their right to pre-empt its purchase of a stake in a massive oil project off the coast of Guyana.