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The Labor Department's report showed U.S. consumer prices grew 6.5% on an annual basis in December, in line with expectations, from a 7.1% rise last month. Markets initially spiked lower after the data, but quickly reversed to edge higher as investors assessed the numbers. Consumer prices unexpectedly fell for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years in December, suggesting that inflation was now on a sustained downward trend. Some Fed policymakers earlier this week signaled the possibility of a 25-basis point hike during the February meeting, if the much-awaited consumer prices data further adds to evidence of a cooling economy. ET, Dow e-minis were up 138 points, or 0.4%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 17.25 points, or 0.43%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 45 points, or 0.39%.

The nonfarm payrolls rose by 223,000 jobs in December, data from the Labor Department showed, while a 0.3% rise in average earnings was smaller than expected and lower than the previous month. The numbers for November were revised to show nonfarm payrolls rose by 256,000 and average earnings grew by 0.4%. Another set of data showed U.S. services activity contracted for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years in December amid weakening demand, with more signs of inflation abating. Except healthcare stocks (.SPXHC), all the major S&P 500 indexes were in the green led by gains in energy shares (.SPNY). The S&P index recorded 13 new 52-week highs and five new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 45 new highs and 52 new lows.

ETMeta up on J.P. Morgan rating upgradeDigital World Acquisition down on CFO exitFutures down: Dow 1.16%, S&P 1.05%, Nasdaq 0.60%Dec 16 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main stock indexes were set to extend losses on Friday as fears of a looming recession, sparked by the Federal Reserve's relentless battle against inflation, hammered sentiment. The Bank of England and the European Central Bank were the latest ones to indicate an extended rate-hike cycle on Thursday. The simultaneous expiration of stock options, stock index futures and index options contracts later in the day, known as triple witching, could cause volatility through the trading session. ET, Dow e-minis were down 384 points, or 1.16%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 41.25 points, or 1.05%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 68.5 points, or 0.6%. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Ankika Biswas and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Wall Street's main indexes have slumped this year on fears of aggressive rate hikes triggering a U.S. recession. ET, Dow e-minis were up 81 points, or 0.24%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 12.75 points, or 0.32%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 34.25 points, or 0.3%. Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) lost 2.7% after Wells Fargo downgraded its rating on the smartphone chipmaker's stock to "underweight" from "equal weight". Rivian Automotive Inc (RIVN.O) lost 1.2% after the company paused its partnership discussions with Mercedes-Benz Vans on electric van production in Europe. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Ankika Biswas and Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru Editing by Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"It's just one data point that leads to the Fed cooling down their aggressive hikes, but it doesn't change December's 50 basis point (rate hike). The key is going to be the data between December and February as to what they do next." The U.S. central bank has raised its policy rate by 375 basis points this year in the fastest hikes since the 1980s. Adding to the fears, the yield curve between the 2-year and 10-year Treasury notes has also widened in the recent days. ET, Dow e-minis were up 148 points, or 0.44%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 22.5 points, or 0.57%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 65.5 points, or 0.57%.

The comments follow a softer-than-expected inflation report last week, which had buoyed hopes that the Fed could scale back its hefty interest rate hikes and helped drive a euphoric market rally. The S&P 500 in the previous session logged its biggest weekly percentage gain in about five months, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq (.IXIC) notched its best week since March. "The market is expecting the Fed to continue its hawkish rhetoric on rates. ET, the S&P 500 (.SPX) was down 17.25 points, or 0.43%, at 3,975.68, and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) was down 115.13 points, or 1.02%, at 11,208.20. The S&P 500 information technology sector (.SPLRCT) was down 1.2% and among the leading sectoral decliners on the benchmark index.

The comments follow a softer-than-expected inflation report last week, which had buoyed hopes that price pressures were easing and the Fed could scale back its hefty interest rate hikes. "The market is expecting the Fed to continue its hawkish rhetoric on rates," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities. Once they (Fed) raise rates at 50 (bps), there's a possibility that they might indicate slower rates." Traders now expect the Fed to hike interest rates in December by a half point, and expect terminal rate in the range of 4.75%-5.0% next year. ET, Dow e-minis were down 50 points, or 0.15%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 11.5 points, or 0.29%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 62 points, or 0.52%.

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