Markets bet on a September Fed rate cut at Jackson Hole, but sticky inflation, Trump tariffs, and Powell’s framework review could derail expectations.

Wall Street's main indexes closed on a subdued note on Monday, after struggling for direction while investors awaited a raft of corporate earnings reports from major retailers for more signs about the state of the economy and the Federal Reserve's annual symposium in Jackson Hole.

U.S. stock index futures remained steady as investors anticipated earnings reports from major retailers to gauge American consumer health. Intel soared after a SoftBank investment, while the focus shifted to Federal Reserve discussions on interest rates.

Investors are tracking talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war and awaiting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech at Jackson Hole at the end of the week.

Wall Street and European shares ended flat to modestly lower on Monday ahead of a key central bank gathering later in the week that likely will determine the future path of U.S. interest rate policy.

Zelensky's meeting on a potential peace deal and an upcoming ‘three-party’ meeting between Putin and Zelensky, with Trump as a broker. Investors are now shifting their focus to the US Fed's Jackson Hole.