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The pace of inflation likely moderated again in August — further relief for beleaguered consumers still smarting from pandemic-era price shocks. Though price growth has largely returned to the Federal Reserve's official 2% target, the sting of rapid price increases over the past four years lingers for many consumers. The latest inflation report is likely to cement a 0.25% cut in the Federal Reserve's key interest rate, currently at about 5.3%, later this month. But experts say it will take some time for consumers to feel the impact of the lower interest rate — and the relatively small size of the cut means borrowing costs will still be somewhat elevated. While the Fed is now widely expected to cut interest rates, a cut of just 0.25% may not be enough to stave off that scenario.

Persons: —, There's, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Zillow, Paul, ” Marina Walsh, ” Walsh, Torsten Slok, Slok, Sophia Kearney, Jerome Powell's, Kearney, Lederman Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve's, Democratic, Labor Statistics, Princeton, “, Mortgage Bankers Association, Apollo Global Management, FHN, NBC News, Fed Locations: U.S, New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, St, Las Vegas, Phoenix

☆ Mortgage rates hit lowest level since February 2023
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales fell 1.5 percent in October to their lowest level in 20 years. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Mortgage rates fell for the sixth straight week last week, but mortgage demand still seems to be waiting for something bigger. That is the lowest level since February 2023 and nearly a full percentage point lower than the same week one year ago. Total mortgage demand, however, rose just 1.4% for the week, according to the MBA's seasonally adjusted index. Mortgage rates continued to move lower to start this week, according to a separate survey by Mortgage News Daily, but the monthly release of the Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, on Wednesday could impact the direction of rates more sharply in either direction.

Persons: Justin Sullivan, Joel Kan, Kan, Matthew Graham Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage, Association, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Labor, Mortgage News Locations: CALIFORNIA, Larkspur , California

☆ Stock futures inch lower as investors brace for more inflation and labor data: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on September 04, 2024 in New York City. U.S. stock futures inched lower Wednesday night as investors brace for more inflation and labor data, following a volatile session spurred by the release of the August consumer price index. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures dipped 0.07% and 0.13%, respectively. Stocks dropped earlier in the day when August's consumer price index showed an uptick in core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices. Wall Street is anticipating the release of the August producer price index on Thursday.

Persons: Stocks, Lauren Goodwin, CNBC's, — that's, Goodwin, Dow Jones, Kroger Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Investors, Dow, Fed, New York Life Investments, Adobe Locations: New York City . U.S

☆ The next big market for weight-loss drugs: children
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Novo Nordisk's American rival, Eli Lilly, has also been testing obesity-beating drugs for children as young as six. Wegovy and similar drugs for weight loss have become a huge business. The drugs' success has made Novo Nordisk the most valuable company in Europe. AdvertisementChildhood obesityAn FDA approval on weight loss drugs for children could open up a new market for Novo Nordisk. In June, US Sen. Bernie Sanders announced that Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Jørgensen would testify before the committee on September 24 at a hearing focusing on the prices that Novo Nordisk charges Americans for their drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy.

Persons: —, Saxenda, Novo, Claudia Fox, Eli Lilly, Goldman Sachs, Wegovy, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Lars Jørgensen, Sanders Organizations: Service, BMI, Business, FDA, Financial Times, Novo Nordisk, Centers for Disease Locations: Madrid, Europe

☆ Here's why September and October are historically weak for stocks
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Why are September and October historically weak for stocks? It is a byproduct of an old weakness in the U.S. financial system. The limited ability of the government to react was the primary impetus for the passage of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Yes, and if one compares the frequency, intensity and misery of financial panics during the 1800s, this is plainly evident. But, by and large, the U.S. financial system has been much more stable since the Federal Reserve became operational in late 1914.

Persons: Mark Higgins, Morgan Organizations: Fund, Federal, Fed, U.S, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S, New York, New York City, United States

☆ Stock market today: Stocks fall as annual inflation slows but monthly CPI notches surprise increase
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Core inflation rose 0.3% in August, slightly above economists' expectations. Meanwhile, investors dashed their hopes for a 50 basis point rate cut from the Fed next week. AdvertisementUS stocks traded mixed on Wednesday as investors took in last month's inflation report, which showed an unexpected increase in the monthly core consumer price index. Bond yields rose as traders readjusted expectations for a jumbo rate hike of 50 basis points at next week's Federal Open Market Committee meeting. AdvertisementThe surprise increase led investors to almost completely discount the possibility of a 50 basis point rate cut at the Fed's next policy meeting.

Persons: —, Josh Jamner, Jack McIntyre Organizations: Fed, Service, Dow Jones, ClearBridge Investments, Brandywine Global Locations: Here's

☆ Treasury yields move lower ahead of key consumer inflation report
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The yield on the 10-year Treasury was nearly 2 basis points lower at 3.625%, with the 2-year Treasury yield down 2 basis points at 3.586%. Treasury yields dipped on Wednesday as investors awaited the release of U.S. inflation data for clues on the size of a potential interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week. The reports come ahead of the Fed's Sept 17-18 meeting, with traders widely expecting a rate cut. Others have described such a move as one that would be "very dangerous" for markets, pushing instead for the Fed to deliver a quarter-point rate cut instead. Traders are currently pricing in a 67% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut, with 33% expecting a 50-basis-point rate reduction, according to the CME Group's FedWatch Tool.

Organizations: Treasury, Federal Reserve, Fed Locations: U.S

☆ This corner of the stock market is set to outperform once the Fed starts cutting interest rates, Goldman Sachs says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Mid-cap stocks are poised for greater growth than small- and large-caps, Goldman Sachs says. They forecast a 13% return on mid-caps in the next year after rate cuts. AdvertisementThere's one area of the stock market that is likely set for outsized growth after rate cuts: the mid-cap shares. Mid-cap equities have historically seen stronger growth in the year after rate cuts compared to large- and small-caps, analysts from Goldman Sachs say. Goldman Sachs expects the Fed to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its policy meeting next week, followed by 25 basis points in November and December.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, —, Russell, Goldman Organizations: Service

☆ Mark Zuckerberg could become the richest person on the planet after a $51 billion wealth surge this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Zuckerberg could become the world's wealthiest person after surging up the rich list. The Meta CEO has gained $51 billion this year and recently ranked third in net worth. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! AdvertisementMark Zuckerberg has rocketed up the ranks of the world's richest people — and could take the top spot for the first time. Zuckerberg sits in fourth place at the time of writing, behind Tesla's Elon Musk (worth $248 billion), Amazon's Jeff Bezos (worth $202 billion), and LVMH's Bernard Arnault (worth $180 billion).

Persons: Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, —, Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla's Elon Musk, LVMH's Bernard Arnault Organizations: Elon, Service, Meta, Facebook, Bloomberg, Business

☆ European stocks set for mixed open as markets await U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Shoppers at a Walmart store in Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S., in March 2024. LONDON — European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory on Wednesday as global markets focus on the latest U.S. inflation data set to be released later in the day. The U.K.'s FTSE index is seen opening 4 points higher at 8,208, Germany's DAX up 25 points at 18,304, France's CAC 40 flat at 7,404 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 66 points at 33,259, according to data from IG. Traders have their eyes on two key economic reports out of the U.S. this week, with the consumer price index report for August due Wednesday, followed by the producer price index on Thursday. The data comes before a widely anticipated interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve's Sept. 17-18 meeting that could help assuage concerns over a weakening U.S. economy.

Persons: Germany's DAX Organizations: Walmart, LONDON, CAC, IG, Traders, Federal Locations: Secaucus , New Jersey, U.S

☆ Boeing should be kicked out of the Dow
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The United States is no longer primarily an industrial economy, and the changes in the index over the last 126 years reflect that evolution. Beyond that, there are two other major issues indicating that Boeing no longer belongs in the Dow. Trying to stay relevantBoeing obviously wasn’t an early component of the Dow — the index started seven years before the first plane flew at Kitty Hawk, and 20 years before Boeing was incorporated. In 2020, the Dow dropped ExxonMobil, then struggling with low oil prices during the pandemic, and added tech company Salesforce, then on a tear. Boeing declined to comment when asked about its membership in the Dow.

Persons: ”, Ron Epstein, Dow, Max, That’s, Sam Stovall, Kitty Hawk, “, ” Stovall, Stovall, — Organizations: New, New York CNN, Dow Jones, New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Boeing, Bank of America, Steel, Disney, Dow, Alaska Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, CFRA Research, Electric, Lockheed, GE, GE Aerospace, ExxonMobil, Airbus Locations: New York, United States, Alaska, Ukraine

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Banks might not love lower rates unconditionally
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Big price reportsThe U.S. consumer price index for August comes out later today, while the producer price index, which measures prices at the wholesale level, will be released a day later. They're the last major economic data the Federal Reserve will receive — and hence influence its decision on the size of cuts — before its meeting next week. Separately, JPMorgan shares fell 5.19% after the bank's president Daniel Pinto lowered expectations for next year's net interest income.

Persons: Dow, Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase, stagflation, Daniel Pinto Organizations: CNBC, Nasdaq, Continental, BMW, Federal Reserve, JPMorgan, U.S, Apple Intelligence Apple Locations: Basel

☆ Wall Street mounts a comeback, and Honeywell finally hints at what may be next
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch — an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch — an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Jensen Huang, Goldman Sachs, Vimal Kapur, Morgan, Kapur, We've, Jim Cramer's, Jim Organizations: CNBC, Nasdaq, Club, Nvidia, Broadcom, Nvidia's, Technology Conference, Honeywell, Laguna Conference, Signet Jewelers, Jim Cramer's Charitable Locations: Kroger

☆ Steve Eisman of 'Big Short' fame not worried about banks or economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Steve Eisman of "The Big Short" fame said he's unfazed by the weakness in bank stocks as well as any uncertainty around the Federal Reserve's next easing cycle. To Eisman, there's nothing to worry about. Eisman shot to fame by shorting collateralized debt obligations to profit from the demise of subprime mortgage loans before the 2008 financial crisis. Wednesday's data showed the consumer price index , a broad measure of goods and services costs across the U.S. economy, increased 0.2% in August , in line with the Dow Jones consensus. The economy Concerns about lower-income consumers have also increased recently, but Eisman said they are not indicative of a systemic issue endangering the wider economy.

Persons: Steve Eisman, he's, Neuberger Berman, shorting, Michael Lewis's, Eisman, Dow Jones Organizations: Federal, JPMorgan, Ally Financial, Dollar Locations: U.S

☆ Consumer prices rose 0.2% in August as annual inflation rate hits lowest since early 2021
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Prices increased as expected in August while the annual inflation rate declined to its lowest level since February 2021, according to a Labor Department report Wednesday that sets the stage for an expected quarter percentage point rate cut from the Federal Reserve in a week. The consumer price index, a broad measure of goods and services costs across the U.S. economy, increased 0.2% for the month, in line with the Dow Jones consensus, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. That put the 12-month inflation rate at 2.5%, down 0.4 percentage point from the July level and compared to the estimate for 2.6%.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Labor Department, Federal Reserve, of Labor Statistics Locations: U.S

☆ Markets get nervous over high core inflation and see the Fed cutting slowly
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Jeff Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Stubbornly high core inflation virtually cemented the likelihood of a quarter percentage point cut from the Federal Reserve, which historically has avoided larger moves unless absolutely necessary. Shelter inflation is putting a floor under the CPI and likely keeping the Fed from reducing interest rates by more 25 basis points. "History back to 1990 supports the idea that an initial Fed rate cut of 50 basis points signals an imminent recession (2001 and 2007). "Their first cut will almost certainly be 25 basis points," Colas said. But the Fed, which targets inflation at 2%, prefers core readings as a better longer-term gauge for inflation.

Persons: Dow Jones, —, Nick Colas, Jerome Powell, Colas, That's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Labor Department, CPI, Fed, Traders, Open Market, PCE

☆ Ron Insana: Even as inflation cools, markets show that risks to the soft landing are rising
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Ron Insana | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

What people say about growth and inflation doesn't matter much anymore – even as the latest consumer inflation report shows a cooling trend. That means a notable drop in both wholesale and consumer prices is coming down the road. Now, it appears that the U.S. is slipping behind the rest of the world, turning its policy actions toward growth risks rather than inflation risks. It's also important to remind Fed policymakers that there is ample evidence of slower consumer spending among middle-to-lower income families. Further, recent revisions to job growth in the 12-month period through March 2024 confirm that a soft landing is at risk.

Persons: Stocks, that's, We're, It's, Ron Insana Organizations: Treasury, U.S ., CNBC Locations: China, U.S

☆ Goldman says with all the focus on large- and small-caps, you’re missing an opportunity in the middle
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Hakyung Kim | In Hakyungkim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Don't get caught up in the debate on large-cap versus small-cap stocks — the real Goldilocks opportunity lies in mid-cap stocks, according to Goldman Sachs. "Today, mid-cap equities offer investors superior earnings growth at a reasonable price compared with large-caps," Ma wrote in a Tuesday note. "Mid-cap stocks have typically outperformed both large-caps and small-caps during the 12 months following the first Fed rate cut in an easing cycle," she added. In addition, mid-caps have "stronger fundamentals" compared with small-cap names, Ma noted. Here are some of Ma's favorite mid-cap names that are both high quality with potential to grow.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Russell, Jenny Ma, Ma, Ma's Organizations: Neurocrine Biosciences, BioMarin Pharmaceutical

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Lower rates might hurt banks
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Tough environment for European companiesChina's environment for businesses is so thorny that European companies have grown discouraged with operating in the country, according to the EU Chamber of Commerce. If European companies were to invest in China further, Beijing must act on its pledges to improve the business conditions, the chamber's paper wrote. CNBC Pro looked for companies headquartered overseas, but listed in the U.S. – and may experience over 100% upside, according to analysts.

Persons: Morgan, Dow, First Harris, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Taylor Swift, Harris, Cat Lady Organizations: Canary, CNBC, Nasdaq, Japan's Nikkei, U.S ., Trump, EU Chamber of Commerce, Federal Reserve Locations: Wharf, London, United Kingdom, Asia, Pacific, fracking, China, Instagram, Beijing, U.S

☆ Japanese wage growth to surpass inflation for the first time in over 30 years, says asset management firm
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese wages are expected to grow in real terms in the second half of 2024 for the first time in more than three decades, according to Asset Management One. Wages in Japan are rising more rapidly than they did in 2023, the investment management firm noted in a recent report. Japanese real wages in July rose 0.4% year on year, rising for a second consecutive month after a 1.1% rise in June. Asset Management One economists anticipate regular wages likely maintained this rate of growth this summer, despite recent volatility in the yen and Japanese equities. "The past three decades in Japan have been defined by minimal price inflation and negligible wage growth," said Yuko Iizuka, economist at Asset Management One.

Persons: Yuko Iizuka, Iizuka Organizations: Management, Asset Management Locations: Japan

☆ Consumer inflation slows to lowest rate since February 2021
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.2%, unchanged from July. Economists were expecting the annual rate would slow significantly last month to 2.6% annually, according to FactSet. Falling gas prices helped bring overall inflation lower in August, dropping by 0.6% for the month and 10.3% annually. Grocery prices held flat for the month, and overall food inflation was up 0.1% in August and 2.1% annually. On an annual basis, it’s up 5.2% and accounts for more than 70% of the annual increase in core CPI.

Persons: briskly Organizations: CNN, Federal Reserve, of Labor Statistics, BLS Locations: That’s

☆ Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2024 — in one chart
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"We'd expect inflation to continue to subside," though with "some ups and downs" in the data from month to month, House said. Housing inflation is falling but still highInflation for physical goods spiked as the U.S. economy reopened in 2021. Shelter is largest component of the CPI, and therefore has an outsized effect on inflation readings. Such data quirks mask positive news in the real-time rental market, which has seen minimal inflation for about two years, economists said. However, shelter CPI inflation has appeared to defy gravity lately: It increased on a monthly basis for two consecutive months, from 0.2% in June to 0.4% in July, and then to 0.5% in August.

Persons: Grace Cary, Sarah House, It's, hasn't, Paul Ashworth, Ashworth, — Organizations: Wells, Wells Fargo Economics, U.S . Department of Labor, North, Capital Economics, U.S . Federal, Finance, CPI, BLS Locations: U.S, Wells Fargo, North America

☆ Dow falls by almost 700 points after inflation report reduces chance of a jumbo-sized rate cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

But what appeared to garner a lot more attention was the 0.3% monthly rise of the core CPI gauge, which excludes food and energy. The higher-than-expected rise in core inflation will likely cause central bank officials to proceed more carefully when deciding whether to cut interest rates and by how much. On Tuesday, traders were pricing in a 34% chance the Fed would cut rates by a half point. But after the CPI data was released Wednesday morning, traders priced in a 15% chance that would happen. Wednesday’s market moves are a stark contrast to Monday’s, when the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all closed 1.2% higher.

Persons: clamoring, Dow Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Reserve, Nasdaq Locations: New York

☆ This volatility-resistant area of the stock market is ripe for outperformance after two decades of decline, according to Bank of America
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Christine Ji | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

According to Bank of America, one area of the market is set to benefit from increased market volatility: quality stocks, or stocks with strong business models and financial fundamentals. And the cherry on top is that quality stocks — which typically become expensive during downturns — are still cheap despite their recent rally, coming out of a two-decade rut. As seen in the graph below, the high-quality factor serves as a hedge against elevated market volatility. Bank of AmericaQuality is still cheapLuckily for investors, this safe-haven area of the stock market is trading at an attractive valuation. Bank of AmericaWhile quality stocks have recently re-rated to a slight premium, they're still reasonably priced, according to Bank of America.

Persons: —, Subramanian, Financials, Schwab Organizations: Service, Bank of America, Business, PMI, Investors, of, Companies, Equity Locations: of America's

☆ Yen eyes 5-week high as focus turns to U.S. presidential debate, inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Markets were also cautious ahead of the first debate between U.S. presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with the candidates neck-and-neck ahead of the November election. The dollar was down 0.2% at 142.18 yen as of 0009 GMT, heading back towards the recent low of 141.75 yen, a level previously not seen since Aug. 5. The euro was little changed at $1.1019, after sliding to $1.10155 overnight for the first time since Aug. 19. Sterling was flat at $1.3080, following its drop to $1.3049 in the prior session, the weakest since Aug. 21. The stakes are particularly high considering the debate between Trump and President Joe Biden ultimately spurred the incumbent to drop out of the race.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Sterling, —, Kyle Rodda, Trump, Harris, Joe Biden Organizations: Federal Reserve, Capital.com, Republican, Democratic, Trump

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