Markets Edge Higher Ahead of Inflation Data

U.S. stocks move mixed as traders parse a week loaded with inflation reports and tariff headlines.

Markets Edge Higher Ahead of Inflation Data

U.S. stocks traded mixed in midday action as investors digest a strong week that put major indexes near record levels. The S&P 500 rose 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3%. The Nasdaq closed at record highs in each of the previous two sessions, and the S&P 500 hovered just below its last record close. Investors are watching for inflation data this week to gauge how tariffs may feed through the economy and how soon the Federal Reserve might adjust policy.

The market backdrop blends cautious optimism with policy uncertainty. Tariff headlines and a potential rate cut create a tug of war between growth signals from tech and the inflation picture. Traders are rotating between secular growth names and cyclicals while awaiting CPI and wholesale inflation data. The focus on chipmakers highlights how policy levers can move earnings expectations, especially when export licenses intersect with China exposure. In broader markets, crypto related stocks and Bitcoin price action add a speculative layer, even as gold and bonds shift in response to changing rate expectations.

Highlights

Markets will stay attuned to data and policy signals in the days ahead