Dow falls more than 400 points after January inflation surprise
Stocks took a hit Tuesday after the Labor Department’s latest inflation reading came in higher than expected, fueling concerns on Wall Street that the Federal Reserve might not cut interest rates as early or as many times this year as it previously anticipated.
Prices rose 0.3 percent from December to January and were up 3.1 percent from the same period a year ago, according to the consumer price index (CPI) released Tuesday.
Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had predicted a 0.2 percent monthly increase and a 2.9 percent annual increase.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 450 points, or nearly 1.2 percent, as of noon Tuesday, after the new data was released. The S&P 500 fell nearly 1.2 percent, and the Nasdaq dropped 1.4 percent.
“The consumer price index came in slightly hotter than expected this morning, but showed continued gradual progress in the fight against inflation,” said Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter.
“The major culprit was housing costs, which rose 0.6% in January and contributed over two-thirds of overall inflation during the month. Even though high interest rates have dramatically cooled activity in the housing market, prices have not fallen because housing inventory is so scarce.”
The economy is doing much better overall than it was two years ago, just before the Fed launched its interest rate hike crusade in an attempt to curb rampant inflation. While inflation has fallen from its 9 percent peak in summer 2022, it has not yet dropped to the central bank’s 2 percent target.
The Fed signaled in December that it would cut interest rates this year, although it has not specified when. But as the 2024 election heats up, the politically independent central bank is increasingly becoming the target of partisan attacks.
Some Democrats have urged Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates, which they say have exacerbated a housing affordability crisis in the U.S.
Former President Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, accused Powell — a lifelong Republican and Trump appointee — of being “political.” He also suggested Powell would consider cutting interest rates to help Democrats during the upcoming election.
Trump currently has an edge over President Biden in polling on economic issues, which are poised to play a major role in the first election after the pandemic recovery. A recent Financial Times poll showed Trump 11 points ahead of Biden on who voters believe would best handle the economy.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
News Related-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich until end of January
-
Russian court extends detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges
-
Israel's economy recovered from previous wars with Hamas, but this one might go longer, hit harder
-
Stock market today: Asian shares mixed ahead of US consumer confidence and price data
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Sister Wives' star Christine Brown says her kids' happy marriages inspired her leave Kody Brown
-
NBA fans roast Clippers for losing to Nuggets without Jokic, Murray, Gordon
-
Panthers-Senators brawl ends in 10-minute penalty for all players on ice
-
CNBC Daily Open: Is record Black Friday sales spike a false dawn?
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
Biden’s unworkable nursing rule will harm seniors
-
Jalen Hurts: We did what we needed to do when it mattered the most
-
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB