Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq edge higher as inflation print keeps Fed rate cut on track
11/13/2024 20:56The wait is on for fresh consumer inflation data, as investors weigh whether a Donald Trump White House would whip up price pressures.
US stock futures ticked higher on Wednesday as investors weighed fresh consumer inflation data that looked to keep the Federal Reserve on pace for another rate cut next month.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) rose roughly 0.2%, coming off a steep slide as stocks closed lower across the board. Contracts on the S&P 500 (ES=F) also rose 0.2%, while those on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) were up 0.1%.
Consumer prices rose largely as forecast in October, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.6% year over year and 0.2% on a month-over-month basis, both meeting forecasts. Rises in "core" inflation — of 3.3% year over year and 0.3% month over month — also met estimates.
Inflation has taken center stage again after the post-election rip higher hit a wall. The FOMO market lost some mojo Tuesday as it ponders whether President-elect Donald Trump's policies could boost inflation as well as the economy. That has helped push Treasury yields higher, promising higher borrowing costs all around.
The report appears to keep the Federal Reserve on track for a December rate cut. Minneapolis Fed president Neel Kashkari told Yahoo Finance that inflation data was the key focus for the central bank in the weeks ahead, saying at Yahoo Finance’s Invest conference that any surprise to the upside "might give us pause."
According to the CME FedWatch tool, 70% of traders expect a rate cut in December.
Meanwhile, Trump has named Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency — another challenge for analysts trying to assess the EV maker's prospects. The incoming president's picks for his cabinet are also being closely watched for impact on his policies and the economy, though DOGE is not an government agency.
Tesla's stock popped higher in premarket trading, bidding for a comeback from a 6% fall on Tuesday. Meanwhile, shares of Rivian (RIVN) jumped after Volkswagen raised its investment in the rival electric carmaker to $5.8 billion.
Read more: What the Fed rate cut means for bank accounts, CDs, loans, and credit cards
LIVE 2 updates
Inflation holds steady in October
A closely watched report on US inflation showed consumer price increases remained consistent during the month of October, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released morning.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.6% over the prior year in October, a slight uptick from September's 2.4% annual gain in prices. The yearly increase matched economist expectations.
The index rose 0.2% over the previous month, matching the increase seen in September and also on par with economist estimates.
On a "core" basis, which strips out the more volatile costs of food and gas, prices in October climbed 0.3% over the prior month, matching September, and 3.3% over last year for the third consecutive month.
Good morning. Here's what's happening today.
Here’s a look at today’s key economic and market themes: Wall Street awaits fresh consumer inflation data, while Spirit Airlines (SAVE) plummets 70% amid looming bankruptcy concerns. US mortgage rates continue their post-election climb following Donald Trump’s victory. Meanwhile, SoftBank Group (SFTBY) plans to build a supercomputer using Nvidia’s (NVDA) new Blackwell chips, underscoring its ambitions in AI.
Economic data: MBA Mortgage Applications, (week ending Nov. 8); Consumer Price Index, October; Real average hourly earnings, October
Earnings: Cisco (CSCO)
Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning:
Kashkari: Inflation surprise could prompt Fed 'pause'
Stocks have 'room to run' but that doesn't mean buy: Bridgewater CIO
Inflation 'unlikely to show much progress' in October
Spotify forecasts profit above estimates, stock jumps
US mortgage rates rose again in week after Trump's victory