Major stock indexes in Wall Street declined slightly, as investors are waiting for a catalyst that will move the markets, while maintaining a focus on the timing of the next rate hike.

Investors expect the monthly data on the number of jobs on Friday to assess whether they are comparable to the statements by the Fed. According to forecasts, the number of people employed in non-agricultural sectors of the economy increased in August by 185 thousand. After increasing by 255 thousand. In July. The unemployment rate is likely to decline to 4.8% from 4.9%. Meanwhile, the growth rate of the average hourly rate is estimated to have slowed to 0.2% from 0.3%.

However, today's report from S & P / Case-Shiller showed that the national index of housing prices in the US rose by 5.1% annually in June, unchanged from the previous month. A composite index for the 10 megacities US reported an annual growth of 4.3%, compared with 4.4% in the previous month.

In addition, it was reported that the consumer confidence index from the Conference Board, which decreased slightly in July, increased in August. The index is currently 101.1 compared to 96.7 in July. the present situation index rose to 118.8 from 123.0, while the expectations index rose to 82.0 last month to 86.4.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in negative territory (24 of 30). Outsider were shares of The Boeing Company (BA, -1.60%). More rest up shares The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS, + 1.16%).

Most of the S & P sectors showed a decline. Most utilities sector fell (-0.9%). The leader turned out to be the financial sector (+ 0.6%).

At the close:

Dow -0.26% 18,454.30 -48.69

Nasdaq -0.18% 5,222.99 -9.34

S & P -0.19% 2,176.13 -4.25