U.S. Stocks Close Mixed Amid Tech Pressure, Fed Focus

U.S. stock markets showed mixed results early this week as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's upcoming Jackson Hole economic policy symposium for clearer guidance on interest rates, with an 85 percent chance of a September rate cut priced in by markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 edged down slightly, while the Nasdaq Composite inched up, influenced by declines in mega-cap tech stocks such as Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Broadcom, although Tesla, Amazon, and Nvidia posted modest gains. Retail earnings reports, including those from Home Depot and Best Buy, are in focus and expected to reveal the impact of tariffs, inflation, and an economic slowdown, potentially stalling recent equity rallies. Housing data showed a 5.2% increase in starts for July, with building permits falling 2.8%, underscoring mixed economic signals. Market activity included high options volume and notable price target increases for Palo Alto Networks following strong fiscal results. Overall, sectors such as real estate and communication services lagged, while industrials and consumer discretionary showed modest gains, reflecting cautious sentiment ahead of key economic events.