Equity rally fades over U.S.-China talks

A rally in equities sputtered out after a report that U.S. and Chinese negotiators remain at odds on aspects of their current trade talks. Treasury yields narrowed and Texas crude declined.

The S&P 500 index ended the session little changed Tuesday on word that Trump administration officials are concerned that China is pushing back against U.S. demands. Earlier in the session, the benchmark had topped 2,850 for the first time since October.

The trade news threatens to overshadow other developments investors have been watching this week, including a rate announcement from the Federal Reserve and the latest chapter in the Brexit saga.

The Fed’s dovish shift in recent months has helped reignite a global equity rally on bets that policy-makers will act to support growth.

“The markets have priced in the trade-war resolution, so if there’s any chance this gets extended, delayed or changed, this causes markets to be jittery,’’ said Gene Goldman, chief investment officer at Cetera Investment Management.

“Markets are pricing in perfection right now, again this goes back to ‘buy the rumor, sell the news.’ ”

Earlier, the Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced after a quiet start, while equities posted modest losses in Japan, China and Australia, but rose in Hong Kong and India.

The pound gained on word that European Union leaders are planning to offer the United Kingdom a conditional Brexit extension at this week’s summit in Brussels, giving Prime Minister Theresa May one more chance to get her deal through Parliament.

The euro extended an advance after data showed German investor confidence rose for a fifth straight month.

Elsewhere, West Texas crude fell. Gold gained.

Here are some key events coming up this week:

Company earnings this week include FedEx, Tencent, Hermes, Tiffany, Micron, Nike and PetroChina.

On Wednesday the Federal Reserve board is expected to hold interest rates steady, announce plans for the end of asset roll-off from its balance sheet, and lower projections for the number of interest-rate hikes this year.

And these are the main moves in markets:

Currencies

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot index fell 0.1 percent to the lowest in almost three weeks.

The euro climbed 0.2 percent to $1.1359, the strongest in more than two weeks.

Bonds

The yield on 10-year Treasuries gained 1 basis point to 2.61 percent.

Commodities

West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.4 percent to $58.83 a barrel.

Gold gained 0.2 percent to $1,306.57 an ounce.