Morning Report 15 October 19: Stocks ease as markets view recent trade outcomes in a more sober light

US sharemarkets held tight ranges in quiet trade on Monday. Investors were cautious ahead of the start of the profit-reporting season. Lack of clarity on the "Phase 1" US-China trade deal also restrained buying interest. After holding a 125-point range, the Dow Jones fell by 29 points or 0.1%. The S&P500 index lost 1.1% and the Nasdaq fell by 8 points or 0.1%.

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