19.08.202511:38 Forex Analysis & Reviews: Nikkei plunges after SoftBank deal; Dayforce shares soar. What's next?

Three major US stock indices closed with minor changes on Monday as investors awaited quarterly earnings reports from top retailers. Besides, they are anticipating the Federal Reserve's annual Jackson Hole symposium. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House, and EU leaders pushed for a peace deal. Solar energy shares rallied on the back of eased subsidy rules.

Wall Street in suspense

US markets finished Monday's session largely unchanged as traders adopted a cautious stance ahead of earnings reports from Walmart, Home Depot, and Target, as well as the Fed's annual gathering in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Focus on retailers

This week's retail earnings are expected to shed light on how inflationary pressures and global trade uncertainty are shaping US consumer demand.

Politics and economy

Trump's meeting with Zelensky had little immediate impact on market sentiment.

Consumer sentiment weakens

Data released Friday showed retail sales rising in line with expectations, but the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index declined on inflation concerns. On the same day, the NAHB housing market index fell to its lowest since December 2022.

Market driven by rate-cut hopes

Despite Monday's flat session, Wall Street has posted two straight weeks of gains, with the Dow Jones hitting an intraday high on Friday. Optimism over potential Fed rate cuts and stronger-than-expected corporate earnings have offset global trade risks.

Closing results

• Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 34.30 points, or 0.08%, to 44,911.82
• S&P 500 edged down 0.65 points, or 0.01%, to 6,449.15
• Nasdaq Composite added 6.80 points, or 0.03%, to 21,629.77
• STOXX 600 +0.1%
• FTSE 100 +0.1%
• CAC 40 +0.2%
• DAX +0.1%

Intel slumps

Intel shares dropped more than 3.6% after Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration was weighing the purchase of a 10% stake in the U.S. chipmaker.

Dayforce surges

Human capital management software firm Dayforce jumped 26% on reports of takeover talks with private equity firm Thoma Bravo.

Solar stocks shine

Shares of solar equipment makers rallied after the US Treasury Department eased requirements for federal tax incentives in renewable energy projects. SunRun surged 11.35%, while First Solar gained 9.69%.

Europe and Asia watch for signals

European equities opened higher Tuesday, while oil prices slipped. Investors are closely monitoring potential signals of a truce between Russia and Ukraine and preparing for upcoming central bank meetings.

Asian trading was muted ahead of Jackson Hole, with market participants awaiting Fed policy cues.

European markets end higher

Defense stocks lagged, with Saab AB sliding 3.7%, pulling the sector index down 1.3%.

Jackson Hole in focus

Markets are awaiting Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the annual symposium (Aug 21–23), where he is expected to outline the central bank's policy outlook. According to CME FedWatch, traders are pricing in an 83.6% chance of a 25 bps rate cut at the Sept. 17 meeting.

Asia under SoftBank pressure

The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index slipped 0.2%. Japan's Nikkei, which hit record highs earlier in the session, closed 0.4% lower as SoftBank Group shares fell 4% after announcing a $2 billion investment in struggling US chipmaker Intel.

Currencies and commodities

The US dollar weakened 0.2% to 147.64 yen. The euro inched up 0.1% to $1.1670. The dollar index was flat after gains on Friday

WTI crude fell 0.9% to $62.88/barrel. Brent crude slipped 0.8% to $66.07/barrel. Gold rose 0.3% to $3,339.54/oz

Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin dropped by 1.4% to $114,814.91. Ethereum sank by 2.7% to $4,224.07