The main US stock indexes finished trading almost unchanged

Major US stock indexes finished the session near the zero mark, as growth in the consumer market was offset by a fall in the utility sector.

A certain impact on the mood of market participants had a fall in prices on the oil market, as well as the outcome of the meeting of the G20 countries, which ended at the weekend in Germany. Recall, the key point of the annual meeting of the G20 finance ministers was their inability to reach an agreement on protecting free trade and combating protectionism because of the US refusal to sign the document.

The cost of oil slightly declined amid fears of investors that a growing volume of oil production in the US could hamper OPEC's efforts to reduce production. Pressure on quotes also provided the latest data from Baker Hughes on the number of drilling rigs in the US. On Friday, Baker Hughes reported that from March 11 to 17, the number of active oil drilling rigs in the US increased to 631 units from 617 units.

The focus was also the statements of representatives of the Fed, namely Evans, Kashkari and Harker. Head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Evans, said that this year the Fed can start raising rates faster against the backdrop of positive economic outlook. In the meantime, the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Kashkari noted that since inflation is now below 2% and there is still uncertainty about the weakness of the market, there are prerequisites for a more cautious increase in rates. Meanwhile, FRB President Philadelphia Harker said that, probably, the Central Bank will continue to raise rates gradually throughout 2017. Harker also noted that the rate increase last week was appropriate given all the data on the economy.

The components of the DOW index have mostly grown (19 out of 30). Caterpillar Inc. was the growth leader. (CAT, + 2.70%). More shares fell The Home Depot, Inc. (HD, -1.09%).

Most sectors of the S & P index recorded a decline. The utilities sector fell most of all (-0.5%). The leader of growth was the consumer goods sector (+ 0.3%).

At closing:

Dow -0.04% 20,907.12 -7.50

Nasdaq + 0.01% 5,901.53 +0.53

S & P -0.20% 2,373.46 -4.79