MARKET SNAPSHOT: Stock Market Searches For Direction As Investors Focus On Geopolitics

Analyst: 'Market sentiment is fairly negative'

U.S. stock-market indexes were holding near unchanged in early trade Monday, following two straight sessions of declines as investors remained cautious amid geopolitical tensions and ongoing domestic political turmoil.

The S&P 500 was virtually unchanged at 2,425 with 7 of its 11 main sectors trading in positive territory. The energy sector was leading losses, down 0.2%, while telecoms and health care shares led the gainers, up about 0.2%.

The Nasdaq Composite inched 8 points higher to 6,224, as biotechnology stocks gained.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average , which on Friday logged its largest two-week decline since mid-September, was flat at 21,673, as a sharp drop in Nike Inc. continued to weigh on the blue-chip index.

Some analysts suggested that geopolitical tensions and political turmoil in Washington have been preventing the market from recovering after recent bout of volatility.

"Even though the S&P 500 is currently only 2.2% below its August 7 all-time high, the market's current technical action points to the possibility of a decline of deeper proportions," said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA, in a note Monday.

Stovall said the erosion in price momentum of the cyclical sectors, such as technology and financials that had been leading the recent rally, have been adding to the downbeat sentiment.

Other analysts said geopolitical threat will continue to dampen risk appetite among investors.

"With earnings season coming to an end, there is not much to be bullish about right now," said Richard Perry, a Hantec Markets analyst, in a note Monday.

"Market sentiment is fairly negative with geopolitical risk still elevated on the Korean Peninsula," Perry said, adding that "the political risk of Trump's presidency remains a driving factor."

A new cycle of escalation near the Korean Peninsula looked set to begin as the U.S. and South Korea on Monday kicked off annual military exercises (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tensions-expected-to-rise-as-us-south-korea-start-annual-war-games-2017-08-20) that have a history of enraging North Korea.

President Donald Trump is due to lay out a path for U.S. strategy in Afghanistan (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-to-announce-new-strategy-for-us-in-afghanistan-2017-08-20) in a nationally televised speech Monday night. On Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to speak at a campaign-style rally in Phoenix as he tries to move on from his much-criticized response to the white-supremacist violence in Charlottesville, Va.

Other markets: Oil futures and the ICE U.S. Dollar Index drifted lower, while gold futures advanced. European equities lost ground (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fiat-maersk-shares-shine-in-lackluster-european-stock-market-2017-08-21), while Asian markets closed mixed (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/australia-japan-lead-asian-market-decliners-2017-08-20).

Deal news: Shares in Sempra Energy(SRE) rose 1% following news the San Diego Gas & Electric parent has reached a deal to buy Oncor for $9.45 billion, swooping in to snatch the power-transmission company (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sempra-outbids-buffetts-berkshire-with-945-billion-deal-for-oncor-2017-08-21) away from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc.(BRKA)

In European deal news, French oil giant Total SA(TOT) (TOT) has agreed to acquire Danish conglomerate A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S's (MAERSK-B.KO) (MAERSK-B.KO) oil unit for $7.45 billion (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/total-buys-maersk-oil-unit-in-745-billion-deal-2017-08-21), the latest sign activity is returning to the sector following a three-year slump in oil prices.

Herbalife Ltd.(HLF) shares surged 9% after announcing a self-tender offer and confirming it recently held talks on a going-private transaction. The health products distributor said it has commenced a modified Dutch auction self-tender offer to buy for cash up to $600 million of its own shares.

Stocks to Watch: Shares of Foot Locker Inc.(FL) tumbled 3.5%, extending its slide on Friday, when the stock lost nearly a third of its value.

Shares of Nike Inc.(NKE) fell nearly 3% as the stock was downgraded to hold from buy at Jefferies on concern that increased competition in the U.S. is putting growth and margins at risk

Shares of industrial miners were sharply higher. Freeport-McMoRan Inc.(FCX) was up 3%, while Newmont Mining Corp (NEM) was up more than 1%.

U.S.-listed shares for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV(FCA.MI) (FCA.MI) traded 2% higher after China's Great Wall Motor Co. (2333.HK) reportedly expressed interest in buying (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chinese-auto-maker-interested-in-buying-fiat-reuters-2017-08-21) the Italian-American car maker.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 21, 2017 09:56 ET (13:56 GMT)