
The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Wednesday closed up +1.83%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +1.65%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +2.31%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH25) are up +1.80%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH25) are up +2.20%.
Stocks rallied sharply on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 posting 1-week highs and the Dow Jones Industrials posting a 2-1/2 week high. Stocks soared, and bond yields tumbled Wednesday after a Fed-friendly US December consumer price report showed an unexpected easing of core inflation. The slowdown in consumer prices bolstered speculation that the Fed will still be able to cut interest rates this year. Stocks added to their gains Wednesday afternoon on an upbeat Fed Beige Book that said economic activity increased "slightly to moderately" across the US in late November and December.