18.08.202518:49:52UTC+00US Stocks Little Changed Ahead of Fed Guidance

On Monday, U.S. stock markets remained relatively steady, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq showing little movement while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.1%. Investors appeared to pause following a period of strong market performance as attention turns to an eventful week ahead. Anticipated are earnings reports from major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s, alongside a significant address by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the Jackson Hole symposium. Powell's speech is expected to be closely analyzed for any indications regarding the future trajectory of interest rates, as current market trends suggest a strong likelihood of a rate cut in September. Additionally, the Federal Reserve's July meeting minutes, set to be released on Wednesday, are expected to offer further clarity on the internal discussions among policymakers. Meanwhile, geopolitical affairs remain under the spotlight as former President Trump engaged in meetings with Ukrainian President Zelensky and European leaders, subsequent to his engagement with Russian President Putin. In corporate developments, sentiment was impacted by news that Intel's shares dropped nearly 4% amid reports suggesting the White House might consider acquiring a 10% stake in the tech company.