Major US stock indexes finished the session near the zero mark amid a decrease in the tension around the possible military conflict between the US and North Korea.

North Korean media reported that the head of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un, decided to postpone consideration of the version of the missile strike at the US base on Guam Island in the Pacific Ocean. According to him, the US "must make the right choice to avoid a dangerous military conflict." At the same time, the leader of North Korea warned that he could change his mind and ordered the military to be ready to strike at any moment.

In addition, the US Department of Commerce reported that retail sales rose in July to the highest level in 2017, driven by strong demand for new cars and special purchases of Amazon's Prime Day. According to the report, sales in retail chains grew by 0.6%. Economists forecast an increase of 0.4%. Retail sales in June rose by 0.3% instead of falling by 0.2%, and sales in May were unchanged. Sales of so-called non-stationary retailers grew by 1.3%, which is the largest increase since December. Sales also grew by 1.2% in auto dealers, by 1.2% in garden centers and by 1% in department stores.

The confidence of builders in the market for newly built single-family homes rose 4 points to 68 in August, according to the housing market index (HMI) from the National Association of House Builders / Wells Fargo. The component measuring current sales conditions grew by 4 points to 74, and the index predicting sales in the next six months jumped 5 points to 78. Meanwhile, the component measuring consumer traffic increased by one point to 49.

At the same time, the Ministry of Commerce reported on Tuesday that inventories increased by 0.5% after an increase of 0.3% in May. In June, retail inventories increased by 0.6%, as announced in the preliminary report for the previous month. In May, retail inventories increased by 0.6%.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a rise (19 out of 30). The leader of growth was shares of American Express Company (AXP, + 1.67%). Outsider was the shares of The Home Depot, Inc. (HD, -2.76%).

The S & P sector showed mixed dynamics. The greatest decline was shown by the sector of conglomerates (-0.5%). The consumer goods sector grew most (+ 0.4%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.02% 21.999.09 +5.38

Nasdaq -0.11% 6.333.01 -7.22

S & P -0.05% 2,464.61 -1.23