The US Wall Street market experienced mixed readings after recording three consecutive days of positive gains.
Major indexes were flat, supported by the US services sector showing signs of slowdown and contraction in activity in May for the first time in almost a year.
The S&P 500 index rose 0.01%, the technology-focused Nasdaq rose 0.32%, while the Dow Jones fell 0.22%.
This situation signals that economic growth is facing pressure after rising input costs forced businesses to bear a higher burden, thus pushing up inflation.
The balanced movement was also driven by President Donald Trump's action to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%, which took effect yesterday after accusing China of violating a trade agreement.
The situation prompted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump to hold talks via phone this week to ease trade tensions between the two countries.
In other news, the ADP private sector employment report for May recorded the lowest job gains in more than two years, falling from 140,000 to 37,000.
The data showed a slowdown in the labor market and fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would consider an interest rate adjustment in the future.
Investors are now focused on tariff negotiations between Washington and Beijing in a resumption of escalating trade tensions.
US stock market volume recorded $14.5 billion compared to an average of $17.8 billion over the full 20 trading days.
