The S&P 500 index erased early gains to close nearly flat on Monday as expectations that the Federal Reserve will become less aggressive with its interest rate hikes were offset by lingering worries about inflation.

The Dow ended lower, and the Nasdaq Composite ended well off the day's highs.

Investors are awaiting comments on Tuesday from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who some strategists expect could say more time is needed to show inflation is under control.

A consumer prices report due on Thursday could be key for rate expectations, said Quincy Krosby, chief global strategist, LPL Financial in Charlotte, North Carolina. "The CPI report this week is going to be essential for fine-tuning the Fed funds futures market."

Investors also may have sold some shares after recent strong market gains, said Paul Nolte, portfolio manager at Kingsview Investment Management in Chicago. "You're seeing a little bit of profit-taking ahead of the CPI number due out this week."

The technology sector gained as Treasury yields fell. Consumer discretionary stocks also rose, with Amazon.com up 1.5 percent after Jefferies said it saw cost pressures easing for the e-commerce giant in the second half of the year.

Also, S&P 500 companies are about to kick off the fourth-quarter earnings period, with results from top US banks expected later this week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.34 percent, to 33,518, the S&P 500 lost 0.08 percent, to 3,892 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.63 percent, to 10,636.

Friday's jobs report, which showed a moderation in wage increases, lifted hopes that the Fed might become less aggressive in its rate-hike push to reduce inflation.

Tesla shares rose 5.9 percent after the electric-vehicle maker indicated longer waiting times for some versions of the Model Y in China, signaling the recent price cuts could be stoking demand.

Macy's fell 7.7 percent and Lululemon Athletica dropped 9.3 percent after both retailers issued disappointing holiday-quarter forecasts. (Reuters)