The pursuit of stability in Ukraine persists following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday in Washington. The recent meeting aimed at resolving the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine concluded with both parties expressing a sense of optimism regarding future relations, which stands in stark contrast to the contentious exchanges that characterized their prior encounter. Trump indicated that the United States would assist in ensuring Ukraine’s security; however, he did not elaborate on the specifics of any guarantees. A recent report indicated that Ukraine may propose a purchase of $100 billion in U.S. weapons, financed by European aid, in exchange for the aforementioned guarantees. Trump additionally suggested the potential for trilateral discussions that would encompass Russian President Vladimir Putin, subsequent to his meeting with Putin in Alaska last week. Nonetheless, a peace agreement seems unlikely in the near term, particularly considering that Putin has demonstrated scant willingness to consent to a ceasefire. The primary obstacle in the ongoing conflict is the territory that Russia has seized, which Ukraine seeks to reclaim. The Russian leader is said to be seeking the transfer of the remaining territories in the Donbas region to Moscow as a condition for concluding the conflict, a proposition that President Zelensky is likely to resist strongly.

Dow futures experienced a modest decline on Tuesday, as investors adopted a cautious stance in anticipation of the forthcoming release of significant retail earnings and speeches from Federal Reserve officials. At 02:45 ET (06:45 GMT), the market index traded 10 points, or 0.2%, lower, while another index dropped 45 points, or 0.2%, and a third index fell 50 points, or 0.1%. The major indices concluded Monday with mixed results after operating within narrow ranges, as investors anticipate the commencement of the Federal Reserve’s activities later in the week, seeking insights from the Chair regarding the trajectory of the central bank’s remaining policy meetings for the year. Fed Governor, one of two dissenting voices advocating for a rate cut at last month’s meeting, is scheduled to speak later today. The current market signals suggest an 83% probability of a quarter-point rate reduction at the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting in September. On the earnings front, investors will be monitoring reports from a range of major retailers and home improvement chains, beginning later in the session with results from Home Depot. Investors will also monitor data for July, seeking insights into the robustness of the housing market.

The retail sector is poised to capture significant attention on Wall Street this week, as a variety of reports are anticipated from major big-box retailers and home improvement chains. Home Depot initiates the proceedings later in the session, with subsequent reports expected from competitors like Lowe’s, Target, and Walmart as the week unfolds. The data may offer a new perspective on the condition of the American consumer as we approach the latter half of the calendar year. Home Depot is projected to experience a 5.1% increase in revenue for its second quarter ending in July, in contrast to a modest 0.6% rise observed in the previous year, according to data compiled by LSEG. Nonetheless, tariffs continue to be an unpredictable factor, despite Home Depot obtaining over fifty percent of its products from North America. The retailer has emphasized its intentions to enhance the diversification of its supply chain. During the previous quarter’s earnings call, it stated that it would refrain from increasing prices in response to tariffs; however, it acknowledged that certain items might be eliminated entirely.

Palo Alto Networks reported strong quarterly results after the close on Wall Street Monday, while the cybersecurity company also provided a positive fiscal 2026 forecast, anticipating increasing demand for its artificial intelligence-powered cybersecurity solutions. The stock experienced a notable increase of 5% in premarket trading. The company is experiencing advantages from an AI-driven upgrade cycle, as enterprises hasten their cloud adoption and enhance security operations in response to increasing incidents of data breaches. A series of significant cyberattacks has impacted various multinational corporations, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive security measures. The company has forecasted annual revenue in the range of $10.48 billion to $10.53 billion, surpassing the analysts’ average estimate of $10.43 billion, as per data compiled by LSEG. Adjusted profit per share is anticipated to be in the range of $3.75 to $3.85, surpassing the estimates of $3.67 for the fiscal year. Palo Alto Networks announced that its founder and chief technology officer, Nir Zuk, has retired after more than 20 years of service. Chief Product Officer Lee Klarich is set to assume the role of Chief Technology Officer and will also join the board.

On Tuesday, oil prices experienced a decline as market participants evaluated the implications of potential three-way negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, which could result in the removal of sanctions on Russian crude oil. At 02:45 ET, futures experienced a decline of 0.4%, settling at $66.35 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures also decreased by 0.4%, reaching $62.44 per barrel. On Monday, both contracts experienced an increase of nearly 1% following U.S. Trade Adviser Peter Navarro’s criticism of India’s acquisition of discounted Russian crude, which he argued is financing the war and reigniting concerns regarding supply flows. In the aftermath of discussions between Trump and Zelensky in Washington, the U.S. president suggested the potential for a subsequent trilateral dialogue that would include Russia’s Vladimir Putin, thereby sustaining optimism for a possible avenue toward negotiations. “There was no critical breakthrough.” According to a note from ING analysts, the forthcoming development seems to be a meeting between Zelensky and Putin, potentially occurring within the next two weeks.