Dow Strengthened by Benign Inflation



Stocks were flat Wednesday despite the release of more encouraging U.S. inflation data.

The Dow Jones Industrial index gained 210.64 points to break for lunch Wednesday at 39,976.48.

The S&P 500 index picked up 25.37 points to 5,459.73.

The NASDAQ regained 60.13 points to 17,247.74.

All three major averages are now above their Aug. 2 closing level, which was the session before the global market selloff on Aug. 5 that appeared to be related to an unwind of the yen carry trade and concerns about economic growth.

Consumer prices increased 2.9% year over year, down from 3% in June and the lowest reading since 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Wednesday. Month over month, prices ticked up 0.2%. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected a 0.2% increase from the prior month and a 3% gain year over year.

Prices for the 10-year Treasury stood still Wednesday, keeping yields at Tuesday’s 3.82%.

Oil prices dipped 45 cents at $77.90 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices doffed $20.00 to $2,505.90.