The latest inflation data sparked a choppy session for stocks Wednesday, with all three major indexes ending in the red.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics gave a mixed picture on consumer price growth in March, as the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) slowed but core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, came in above what was seen in February.
Taking a closer look at the numbers, the March CPI was up 0.1% month-over-month and 5.0% year-over-year – the latter the smallest annual increase since May 2021. Meanwhile, core CPI, which is often seen as a better tell on future inflation, rose 0.4% on a monthly basis and 5.6% annually. Areas that saw the biggest price increases were shelter and food, while the cost to buy used cars plunged (-11.2% y/y).
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
"U.S. stocks initially rallied after the March inflation report showed consumer prices are decelerating, prompting bets that the Fed might be done tightening," says Edward Moya, senior market strategist at currency data provider OANDA. "The initial stock market rally was rightfully faded as inflation is still too high and as rate cut bets are still aggressively getting priced in." Moya added that investors might not want to pile into risky bets ahead of the start of earnings season, which kicks off on Friday.
Also in focus today were the minutes from the Federal Reserve's March meeting, where it lifted interest rates by 25 basis points (0.25%). However, the collapse of several banks, including Silicon Valley Bank – which occurred just before the central bank's gathering – led "many participants" to lower their federal funds rate target. Additionally, several members considered pausing in order to "allow more time to assess the financial and economic effects of recent banking-sector developments and of the cumulative tightening of monetary policy," the Fed minutes said. Ultimately, the objective to bring down inflation took precedence, the minutes noted.
"Quick policy actions and some stability in financial markets prior to the March 22 announcement opened the door for another rate hike, even though the fallout was expected to dampen the economy and warranted a lower terminal fed funds rate than what policymakers were eyeing," says Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. "With core inflation still running high, there's no reason to expect a different outcome in May, assuming the banking sector stress remains contained." The next Fed meeting is scheduled for May 2-3.
At today's close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.1% at 33,646, the S&P 500 was off 0.4% at 4,091, and the Nasdaq Composite shed 0.9% to 11,929.
How to inflation-proof your portfolio
The bottom line from today's economic data is that while inflation has slowed considerably from last summer's 40-year peak, it still remains stubbornly high. For investors, there are still plenty of opportunities to add the best inflation-proof investments to their portfolio until the Fed can bring price growth down to a more typical pace.
One of the top inflation-resistant assets is oil, and investors can gain exposure to it via the best energy stocks and energy ETFs. However, it's important for investors to know that many assets that are designed to protect portfolios against rising prices can be negatively impacted once inflation returns to normal levels. Unlike, say, the best dividend stocks, they may not be the most ideal picks for buy-and-hold investors.
-
Dow Jones Adds 463 Points as Rate-Cut Odds Rise: Stock Market TodaySome futures traders are now pricing in the possibility of a jumbo rate cut in September, which lifted stocks today.
-
Bullish IPO: Should You Buy BLSH Stock?Wall Street is buzzing about the Bullish IPO. The Peter Thiel-backed crypto company went public on August 13, and BLSH stock nearly doubled in its market debut.
-
What Tariffs Mean for Your Sector ExposureNew, higher and changing tariffs will ripple through the economy and into share prices for many quarters to come.
-
How to Invest for a Fall Interest Rate Cut by the FedA lot can happen between now and then, but the probability the Fed cuts interest rates in September is back above 80%.
-
Are Buffett and Berkshire About to Bail on Kraft Heinz Stock?Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway own a lot of Kraft Heinz stock, so what happens when they decide to sell KHC?
-
How the Stock Market Performed in the First 6 Months of Trump's Second TermSix months after President Donald Trump's inauguration, take a look at how the stock market has performed.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Berkshire Hathaway Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayBerkshire Hathaway is a long-time market beater, but the easy money in BRK.B has already been made.
-
If You'd Put $1,000 Into Procter & Gamble Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayProcter & Gamble stock is a dependable dividend grower, but a disappointing long-term holding.
-
My Three-Day Rule for Investing: And If it Applies NowStock Market I've seen a lot in my career. Here's what I see now in the stock market.
-
Is It Time to Invest in Europe?Stock Market Europe is being shaken out of its lethargy, militarily and otherwise, by Donald Trump's changes in U.S. policy. Should investors start buying?
