Stocks close lower amid doubts about a China trade deal

Stocks ended lower Monday as traders looked ahead to U.S.-China trade talks, which are set to begin later this week.

The Dow lost 95 points, while the S&P 500 shed 0.45% and the Nasdaq lost 0.3%. The indexes alternated between slight gains and losses for most of the session before closing lower.

“Any real change or breakthrough is unlikely, but positive talks are going to be a catalyst for the market,” said Phil Blancato, the CEO of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management. He noted this week will also give investors clues about the market heading into year-end.

A report suggested Chinese officials were increasingly reluctant to agree to a broad trade deal pursued by President Donald Trump.

Vice Premier Liu He, who will lead negotiations for China, told dignitaries that his offer to the U.S. will not include commitments on reforming Chinese industrial policy or government subsidies, Bloomberg reported Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/stocks-close-lower-amid-doubts-about-a-china-trade-deal/ar-AAIo6YL?li=BBnbfcN