A cooler-than-forecast inflation update on the heels of a hotter-than-anticipated January jobs report buoyed the risk-on mood early, heading toward another big but holiday-shortened week for earnings and economic data. The Russell 2000 broke first and fastest on Friday, and the main U.S. equity indexes reflected a return of risk appetite for most of the trading session. But momentum stalled late.
Small caps led the way as seven of 11 stock market sectors closed in the green – not including communication services, tech, consumer discretionary and financials.
