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In a welcome break from persistent price hikes, US consumers experienced a slight retreat in the cost of living for the first time since the early days of the pandemic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 0.1% drop in consumer prices in June, bringing down the annual inflation rate to 3% from 3.3%. This decrease, fueled by lower prices in gas and cars, heralds the slowest year-on-year price increase since May 2020, equalling the modest rates seen in early 2021.
The unexpectedly positive inflation data has ignited optimism about a rate cut at the Federal Reserve. Interest rates have been at a 23-year peak. Pundits speculate that cuts could occur as early as September and perhaps once more in December, contingent on these favorable inflation trends continuing, according to Skyler Weinand of Regan Capital.
The prospect of easing inflation has buoyed the stock market and lowered US Treasury yields, suggesting future consumer benefits like reduced mortgage and credit card rates. Investors monitored Dow futures ascending by 80 points, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures both edging up by 0.3%.