Stocks Start Week of Trade Talks on Muted Note: Markets Wrap
- Europe shares rise; dollar rallies for eighth day; oil drops
- Busy week ahead for U.S.-China negotiations in Beijing
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U.S. equities were mixed and trading volume was muted at the start of a week that could be pivotal for global trade, while lawmakers in Washington continue to negotiate a contentious spending bill. The dollar strengthened for an eighth day, and 10-year Treasuries fell.
The S&P 500 finished higher after drifting most of the session, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners. A faltering communication-services sector countered a gain in industrials driven by railroad shares. Health-care companies -- including UnitedHealth, Pfizer and Merck -- weighed on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Volumes were lower than average, suggesting some people are waiting on the sidelines for more potent market catalysts to emerge.