Stocks traded narrowly mixed Monday as the market was mostly on hold awaiting news from US-China trade talks. The Dow Jones industrial average was flat while the S&P 500 was up 0.1 percent and the Nasdaq firmed 0.3 percent. US Treasury yields and the dollar declined while oil prices rose.

The trade talks in London adjourned for the first day and were scheduled to resume on Tuesday. Markets appear hopeful the result will be de-escalation of the trade dispute. Talks reportedly focused on US need for Chinese rare earths and Chinese desire for access to US technology. Chip stocks on Monday were among the best performers amid hopes for easing in US restrictions on semiconductors to China.

Market Reflections track market reaction to the trading day's major events. Economic data, policymaker speeches, and company news are featured in this report as well as key indexes and financial instruments.

Understanding why markets respond as they do is fundamental for an investor. Market Reflections help explain how the day's events, news, and data impact the outlook for the economy and for market prices.