Markets dominated by gathering of central bankers

On Monday stocks struggled for traction at the start of a week set to be dominated by the gathering of central bankers at Jackson Hole amid growing unease about persistent low inflation. Euro-region bonds gained with Treasuries, while the dollar was steady after Friday’s drop.

The Stoxx Euro 600 Index edged higher on thin trading volumes as gains for miners and food companies outweighed declines in banks and utilities. U.S. equity futures were flat, signaling the S&P 500 may steady after a tumultuous week for President Donald Trump’s administration. Emerging-market stocks advanced. Meanwhile, investors remain on edge after a terror attack in Barcelona and amid simmering tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi will be among the officials addressing this year’s installment of the annual conference hosted by the Kansas City Fed. The summit, held at a Wyoming mountain retreat, comes as central banks in advanced economies grapple with ending years of unprecedented monetary easing, even as stubbornly tepid inflation clouds the outlook.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index increased 0.1 percent as of 11:41 a.m. in London. The MSCI AllCountry World Index fell less than 0.05 percent to the lowest in almost five weeks on a closing basis. Germany’s DAX Index sank 0.2 percent. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index declined less than 0.05 percent. The MSCI Emerging Market Index rose 0.2 percent. Futures on the S&P 500 Index climbed less than 0.05 percent.

Gold advanced 0.3 percent to $1,287.93 an ounce. West Texas Intermediate crude gained less than 0.05 percent to $48.52 a barrel.

Japan’s Topix index fell 0.1 percent at the close with volume was about 16 percent below the 30-day intraday average. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.4 percent and the Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.6 percent. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid 0.2 percent.