Major US stock indices closed in positive territory

Major US stock indexes rose slightly against the backdrop of a news block that gives the impression that the US and China are attempting to de-escalate the trade war.

US President Donald Trump announced the decision to postpone the planned increase in tariffs on Chinese goods by $ 250 billion. The decision, which Trump called a “goodwill gesture”, was made after China announced the release of 16 items of American goods from additional tariffs before the scheduled meeting between negotiating teams of the two largest economies in the world next month. According to the head of the White House on Twitter, the increase in duties by 5% (from 25% to 30%), scheduled for October 1, will be postponed for two weeks (until October 15).

A senior Trump administration official has denied reports that the US is considering an interim deal with China that would delay or cancel tariffs on a number of Chinese imports. The administration is "absolutely not considering" the possibility of an interim agreement with China, an administration spokesman told CNBC. Earlier, Bloomberg News reported that advisers to President Donald Trump are considering making such a deal, which pushed major indices to their session highs. US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin told CNBC that President Trump can make a deal with China at any time, but wants a “good” deal for US workers.

Investors also analyzed US consumer inflation data. A Labor Department report showed that the U.S. core inflation rate rose more than forecasted in August to a one-year high, signaling that inflation is already strengthening ahead of new Chinese commodity tariffs this month, which could push prices up. According to the report, the base consumer price index, which excludes food and energy, grew by 0.3% compared to the previous month and increased by 2.4% compared to a year earlier. This exceeded the average forecasts of economists, while the broader consumer price index rose 0.1% per month and 1.7% year on year, which is below the forecast.

A steady increase in inflation may give some pause to the policies of the Federal Reserve System, as they weigh the need for further cuts in interest rates this year. Nonetheless, market participants continue to expect the central bank to lower rates next week as global growth prospects fade, and trade policy uncertainty weakens the investment business.

Most DOW components completed trading in positive territory (23 out of 30). The biggest gainers were Visa Inc. (V; + 1.96%). The outsider was Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA; -4.03%).

Almost all S&P sectors recorded an increase. The financial sector grew the most (+ 0.7%). Only the health sector declined (-0.1%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 27,182.45 +45.41 + 0.17%

S&P 500 3,009.57 +8.64 + 0.29%

Nasdaq 100 8,194.47 +24.79 + 0.30%