U.S. stocks ended mixed on Monday, with the Dow Jones rising slightly while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell, as investors awaited Nvidia's earnings report and key inflation data later in the week. The tech sector faced pressure, contributing to a 1.12% decline in the S&P 500's technology sector, amidst concerns over chip performance and overall economic sentiment. Trading volumes were notably low, with some analysts suggesting that this week’s events, particularly Nvidia's results, could be as critical as a Federal Reserve meeting. Durable goods orders showed strong growth, rising 9.9% in July, which may influence market expectations regarding potential interest rate cuts by the Fed. As global markets react to signs of economic slowdown in China, investors remain cautious ahead of major earnings announcements and economic indicators. The mixed performance reflects uncertainty as traders balance corporate earnings expectations with broader economic data.