New York (AFP)

The New York Stock Exchange was moving close to equilibrium Tuesday at the start of the session in a market following negotiations in Congress on a new stimulus package for the US economy.

Around 1:50 p.m. GMT, its flagship index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, fell 0.09% to 26,640.63 points.

The Nasdaq, with strong technological coloring, gleaned 0.08% to 10,911.79 points.

The extended S&P 500 index lost 0.03% to 3,293.56 points.

Wall Street had started the month of August in the green Monday, carried by big names in the technology sector, including Apple and Microsoft: the Dow Jones rose by 0.89% and the Nasdaq by 1.47%, ending at a record.

American Republicans and Democrats continued their discussions on Tuesday to find an agreement on new aid for the millions of Americans unemployed because of the Covid-19, but also for struggling businesses and local communities.

"Some press articles report progress, but the two parties remain very distant on the key subjects of strengthening unemployment benefits, assistance to local communities and States and guarantees in the event of possible lawsuits for schools and shops, "notes Patrick O'Hare of Briefing.

"But it should be noted that the two parties remain engaged in the negotiations", continues Mr. O'Hare.

At the end of the day on Monday, Donald Trump said he was considering taking action without waiting for Congress, by decree, to prevent tenant evictions and reduce wage costs.

On the bond market, the 10-year rate on US debt fell to 0.5200% against 0.5543% Monday night.

Since the end of March and despite short-lived upsurges, the yield of 10-year US Treasury bills has been moving at historically low rates, a sign of strong demand for these securities generally considered to be safe investments.

This interest is explained, according to Mr. O'Hare, by "the disparate plans to reopen schools across the country, the protracted negotiations in Congress, the rise in (geo) political tensions before the presidential election, concerns over a new wave of coronavirus infections that threaten reopening efforts and the high number of unemployed. "

© 2020 AFP