### US Stocks Show Volatility Amid Fed Chair's Anticipated Speech and Job Report

US stocks experienced fluctuations on Monday, even though they appeared poised for significant monthly and quarterly gains. Investors were eagerly awaiting comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the forthcoming monthly jobs report.

The S&P 500 edged down by 0.1%, mirroring a similar dip in the Nasdaq Composite. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a steeper decline, slipping by approximately 0.4%. Despite this, all three major indices are targeting a monthly gain as September trading comes to a close—a month historically challenging for stocks.

Market optimism has been buoyed recently by the Federal Reserve's substantial interest rate cut and indications of economic resilience in the US, leading to three consecutive weeks of market gains. Investors are now focused on the upcoming September jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday. This report is expected to shed light on the health of the labor market and could either bolster or undermine the recent rally.

Monday's trading day was further complicated by profit warnings from several automakers. Stellantis experienced a 13% drop in shares after revising its margin outlook due to supply chain disruptions and weak performance in China. General Motors and Ford each saw their stocks decrease by around 4%, while Aston Martin shares plummeted over 20% following an earnings warning.

On the international front, China's main stock index posted its biggest gain since 2008, entering a bull market as buyers acted ahead of an upcoming holiday. Conversely, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell sharply due to unexpected political developments.

Nvidia’s stock also faced pressure, slipping roughly 1% in early trading. This decline followed a report suggesting Beijing was encouraging local companies to prioritize domestic chipmakers over Nvidia’s products. Nvidia had already adjusted by creating special chips for China that adhere to US export restrictions imposed in late 2022, and the company is reportedly working on new compliant products.

In the broader economic landscape, investors are eagerly anticipating key data releases this week, primarily the September jobs report. The report is projected to show an addition of 130,000 nonfarm payroll jobs with unemployment holding steady at 4.2%. A stronger-than-expected result could further energize stock markets, while a weak report might have the opposite effect.

Lastly, in the media industry, DirecTV announced plans to acquire Dish Network through a debt exchange transaction. This merger, pending regulatory approval, aims to create one of the largest pay-TV providers in the US, bolstering competition in a market increasingly dominated by tech companies and streaming services. EchoStar, the owner of Dish Network, saw its shares rise about 1% in premarket trading following the announcement.