Stock prices are higher in early trading today after the week’s most anticipated economic reading indicated inflation remained tepid last month, easing some concerns that have jolted stock and bond markets in recent sessions. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 101.86 to 13,655.58.
The Nasdaq Composite has gained 26.58 to 2,625.99. And the Standard & Poor 500 index is up 10.71 at 1,533.68.
The consumer price index showed prices rose at the fastest pace in 20 months last month as gas prices increased. However, the so-called core personal consumption price index, which excludes often volatile food and energy prices, rose a lower-than-expected 0.1 percent. The figure, which the Federal Reserve watches closely, was below the 0.2 percent increase Wall Street expected.