Bonds & Stocks
An in-line inflation reading spurred gains in both stocks and bonds, easing concern about imminent Federal Reserve interest-rate increases despite elevated oil prices. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The yield on 10-year Treasuries declined three basis points to 4.66%.
Economy
Underlying US inflation was subdued in July, likely easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. The consumer price index, excluding often-volatile food and energy categories, increased 0.2% from a month earlier, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out Wednesday. On an annual basis, it advanced 2.5%, matching the slowest pace since March 2021.
World
President Donald Trump claimed the US had “total control over the Hormuz Strait,” as Washington and Tehran hardened their positions in deadlocked negotiations over the critical waterway. “We own it,” Trump told reporters at Join Base Andrews outside Washington late Tuesday.