09:08 AM EDT, 08/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were nearly flat ahead of Monday's opening bell as traders monitored developments in negotiations surrounding the Ukraine-Russian war.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were flat, S&P 500 futures were down 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures were down 0.2%.

President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders are set to meet at the White House in an effort to end the three-year conflict.

Investors are also awaiting remarks Friday from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the annual central bank symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.1% at $65.94 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.2% higher at $62.12 per barrel.

The US housing market index, scheduled for release at 10 am ET, is seen coming in at 34 for August versus July's reading of 33, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.4% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.9% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.4%, Germany's DAX index was down 0.3%, France's CAC 40 was down 0.8%, and Spain's IBEX 35 was down 0.7% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Dayforce ( DAY ) shares were 25% higher following a media report that the company is being considered for takeover by Thoma Bravo.

On the losing side, Empery Digital ( EMPD ) stock was down 15% after the company said it secured a $25 million credit facility to fund its share buybacks.