Major US stock indexes finished trading near zero

Major US stock indexes closed near zero, as investors awaited the speech of the Fed's Janet Yellen to assess the possibility of raising interest rates this month. She reported that Fed officials will consider the possibility of raising rates at the March meeting. "Raising rates would be appropriate if the situation with regards to inflation and employment will develop in line with expectations. Overall, the monetary policy stance remains "moderately loose". Gradual rate hikes seem appropriate in the coming months ", - she said.

As it became known, the index of business activity in the US service sector, which is calculated by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), rose to 57.6 points in February, compared with 56.5 in January. The last reading was the highest since August 2015. Analysts predicted that the rate will remain unchanged. The indicator is the result of a survey of about 400 companies from 60 sectors across the United States. ISM index value greater than 50, is generally regarded as an indicator of manufacturing activity growth.

DOW index components closed mostly in the red (16 of 30). Most remaining shares fell NIKE, Inc. (NKE, -1.90%). leaders of growth were shares of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, + 0.81%).

Most of the S & P sector showed an increase. Most utilities sector fell (-0.1%). Growth leaders were conglomerates sector (+ 0.7%).

At the close:

Dow + 0.01% 21,005.71 +2.74

Nasdaq + 0.16% 5,870.75 +9.53

S & P + 0.05% 2,383.12 +1.20