US Stocks Hover Near Flatline as Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire

U.S. stocks hovered near the flatline on Monday as investors weighed a proposed energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine against upcoming third-quarter corporate earnings and critical inflation data. Markets opened the week following a winning run for major benchmarks, though trading remained cautious amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and elevated Treasury yields.

President Donald Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine

Crude oil prices advanced sharply at the start of the week following diplomatic developments in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine over the weekend. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 2% to trade around $93 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 2% to reach $106 per barrel.

The prospective regional escalation compounds earlier market pressures from high fuel and borrowing costs. West Texas Intermediate futures later dropped 1.61% to $90.37 a barrel, and Brent crude fell 1.27% to $103.39 a barrel.

US Stocks Hover Near Flatline as Trump Announces Energy Ceasefire — Photo: TipRanks

JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley Earnings Results

Equities opened the week near record levels following a rebound on Friday that lifted the Dow Jones Industrial Average to 51,654.95 and the S&P 500 to 7,811.54. Attention now turns to the official kickoff of the third-quarter earnings season. Major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley are scheduled to report their quarterly financial results this week.

According to data from FactSet, the S&P 500 is projected to post earnings growth for the quarter, driven largely by ongoing investments in AI infrastructure. Analysts emphasize that executive commentary on consumer health and net interest margins will carry significant weight. The big themes to watch in earnings season include how companies are deploying and profiting from AI, said Clark Bellin, president and chief investment officer at Bellwether, pointing also to corporate pricing power and the impact of borrowing costs.

Trump announces Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire amid diesel price concerns

ASML and TSMC Report S&P 500 Earnings Growth Projected to 30.6%

Additional reports are slated from major technology players such as ASML and TSMC. Analysts have now adjusted their forecasts upward, predicting that third-quarter S&P 500 earnings will expand by 30.6% compared to the same period last year. Market strategist Yardeni noted that Corporate America’s Fabulous Earnings Momentum continues to provide a solid foundation for stock valuations, while Brian Leonard, portfolio manager of Keeley Gabelli Small Cap Dividend Fund, stated that investors have narrowed in on whether companies can withstand operating pressures.

The Nasdaq Composite faced downward pressure, slipping 0.2% as losses in select technology hardware names offset broader market resilience. Micron Technology shares fell 4% amid heightened investor scrutiny regarding emerging competition from China’s ChangXin Memory Technologies, which reported advancements on a new chip structure. Meanwhile, investors continue to track sentiment around artificial intelligence capital expenditure following recent corporate disclosures and infrastructure developments.

September Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index Scheduled for Release

Market participants also await key macroeconomic reports scheduled for midweek. The September Consumer Price Index is set for release on Wednesday, followed by the Producer Price Index on Thursday. These figures will provide central bank policymakers and investors with fresh data on inflationary pressures ahead of the Federal Reserve’s scheduled meetings later in the month.

Among income-focused announcements, companies including Accenture, General Mills, Micron Technology, AbbVie, Delta Air Lines, and EOG Resources were noted as trading ex-dividend during the week. In addition, Delta Air Lines reported quarterly earnings that fell short of analyst forecasts and lowered its adjusted earnings outlook for 2026 to a range of $5.10 to $5.60 per share down from $6.50 to $7.50, citing the burden of increased jet fuel expenses.