US Stocks End Mixed Ahead of Anticipated Q2 Earnings Reports

As investors anticipated a flurry of data this week, with 171 S&P 500 companies publishing Q2 financial results, US equities closed neutral on Monday. Because of the 15% year-to-date increase, expectations are strong. The Federal Reserve`s FOMC meeting on Wednesday is another key market-moving event. The Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but Chairman Jerome Powell is likely to strike a dovish tone and set the market up for an interest rate cut in September. The July jobs report is set to be released on Friday, with economists expecting 190,000 jobs being added to the economy and the unemployment rate remaining unchanged at 4.1%. The jobs report will help inform the Federal Reserve`s interest rate policy going forward.