Three main stock indexes close near flatTrump hosts Zelenskiy, EU leaders to push Russia peace dealSolar stocks rise on ‘milder’ subsidy rulesDayforce surges on Thoma Bravo acquisition talksBy Johann M Cherian, Sanchayaita Roy and Carolina MandlAug 18 (Reuters) - Wall Street’s main indexes closed roughly flat 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.Walmart (WMT.N) , Home Depot (HD.N) and Target (TGT.N) , among others, are set to report results this week and are likely to indicate how trade uncertainty and inflation expectations have affected U.S. consumers. Investors are also closely watching the Fed’s Jackson Hole, Wyoming, conference between August 21 and 23, where Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to speak, could offer more clarity on the economic outlook and the central bank’s policy framework.Talks at the White House on Monday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy failed to move the market significantly.“It’s a quiet day, with investors getting ready for things to come,” said Jed Ellerbroek, portfolio manager at Argent Capital. “The most important event is Powell’s speech, as we expect updated thoughts about how the Fed is viewing this economic environment where inflation is at a fairly high level while unemployment seems to have a rising trend.” Data on Friday showed that while retail sales were increasing broadly as anticipated, consumer sentiment overall had taken a hit from mounting inflation fears. On Monday, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell to the lowest reading since December 2022.Wall Street’s main indexes rallied over the past two weeks, with the blue-chip Dow (.DJI) hitting an intraday record high on Friday, aided by interest rate cut expectations and a better-than-expected earnings season despite an uncertain trade environment. On the geopolitical front, Trump and Zelenskiy met to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine, days after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin which yielded no concrete outcome. Trump said he would call Putin and that it was possible the three leaders could hold a meeting. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) fell 34.30 points, or 0.08%, to 44,911.82, the S&amp;P 500 (.SPX) lost 0.65 point, or 0.01%, to 6,449.15 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) gained 6.80 points, or 0.03%, to 21,629.77.Investors continue to price in a 25-basis-point cut from the Federal Reserve next month, although they have lowered their expectations for another rate cut this year, according to data compiled by LSEG. Recent data has also suggested that while U.S. tariffs have not filtered in to headline consumer prices yet, weakness in the jobs market could nudge the central bank to take a more dovish stance. Intel (INTC.O) shares fell 3.66% after a Bloomberg report said the Trump administration is in talks to take a 10% stake in the chipmaker. Dayforce (DAY.N) jumped 26% after a report that private equity firm Thoma Bravo was in talks to acquire the human resources management software firm. Solar stocks including SunRun (RUN.O) and First Solar (FSLR.O) gained 11.35% and 9.69%, respectively, after the U.S. Treasury Department unveiled new federal tax subsidy rules for solar and wind projects, which were less strict than investors had feared.Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.16-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 185 new highs and 36 new lows on the NYSE.The S&amp;P 500 posted 9 new 52-week highs and 3 new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 80 new highs and 69 new lows.

Wall Street's main indexes closed mixed as investors awaited major retail earnings and the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium. The S&P 500 fell slightly, while the Nasdaq gained modestly. Key retailers like Walmart and Home Depot are set to report, providing insights into consumer sentiment amid inflation concerns. The Dow Jones also dipped, reflecting cautious trading ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's anticipated speech. Meanwhile, solar stocks rose on favorable subsidy rules, and Dayforce surged amid acquisition talks.

- Wall Street's main indexes closed nearly flat as investors awaited corporate earnings reports and the Federal Reserve's upcoming symposium in Jackson Hole.  
- President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy discussed the war in Ukraine, but the talks did not significantly impact the market.  
- Solar stocks rose following the announcement of milder subsidy rules, while Dayforce surged on acquisition talks, reflecting mixed investor sentiment amid economic uncertainties.

US STOCKS-Wall Street ends on muted note ahead of Jackson Hole summit, retailers' earnings