US Stocks Mixed on Trade, Economy      09/23 10:06

   U.S. stocks were mixed in early trading on Monday as investors pulled back a 
bit amid worries about the trade war and economic growth.

   NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks were mixed in early trading on Monday as 
investors pulled back a bit amid worries about the trade war and economic 
growth.

   Health care, communications and bank stocks dipped, with health insurer 
UnitedHealth falling 1.4% and AT&T shedding 1%.

   Higher bond prices pushed down yields on 10-year Treasury notes to 1.68% 
from 1.75% late Friday. The lower yields weighed on bank stocks. Banks rely on 
bond yields to set lucrative interest rates on loans.

   Makers of consumer products, including Procter & Gamble and Pepsico, made 
gains in the early going. Utilities swung between small gains and losses. 
Investors typically shift to both those sectors and bonds when they are seeking 
safer places to put their money amid worries about economic growth.

   Technology stocks also held up well and helped offset some of the health 
care and bank declines. Apple did most of the heavy lifting with a 0.5% gain, 
though chipmaker Nvidia rose 1.4%.

   Investors are preparing for the start of the next round of corporate 
earnings and several key companies this week could provide a clearer picture of 
the U.S.-China trade war's ongoing impact. Nike, which could be a gauge of the 
trade war's effect on shoemakers and retailers, will report fiscal first 
quarter results on Tuesday. Technology company Micron will report its fiscal 
fourth quarter results on Thursday.

   KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 fell 0.1% as of 10 a.m. Eastern time. The Dow 
Jones Industrial Average shed 48 points, or 0.2%, to 26,887. The Nasdaq fell 
0.2%.

   OVERSEAS: Stocks in Europe fell broadly as Germany's economy contracted to 
its lowest level in nearly seven years, according to IHS Markit. Germany is 
Europe's largest economy and often acts as a gauge for the continent's economic 
health. The latest data adds to worries that Europe is facing a slowdown in 
economic growth.

   Asian stocks edged lower. 

   MARKET WORRIES: Stocks are coming off of their first week of losses after 
three straight gains and investors are keeping a close watch on the United 
Nations General Assembly this week.

   Oil prices and the energy sector could experience more volatility as 
President Donald Trump seeks a coalition to confront Iran after the U.S. blamed 
it for last week's strike on a Saudi Arabian oil facility.

   Prospects for a trade war resolution seem to have once again cooled 
following comments by Trump that he doesn't necessarily need to make a deal 
before the next U.S. elections in 2020. Chinese officials canceled a planned 
trip to farms in Montana and Nebraska, an action that raised concerns of yet 
another halt in trade negotiations.

   U.S. and Chinese officials are expected to meet in October to restart trade 
talks.

   THINLY STOCKED: E-commerce company Overstock.com fell 12.6% after the 
company cut its financial forecast partly because tariffs have increased the 
costs of goods from China. It also named Jonathan Johnson as its new CEO. He 
has been acting CEO since August when Patrick Byrne resigned. 


(CZ)