U.S. Stocks at Record Highs Following Inflation Data

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) managed to close mostly higher on Wednesday, with the Dow and S&P 500 indices finishing at new record highs for the second consecutive session, with Wall Street investors focusing on inflation data in the U.S.

Earlier, data by the U.S. Department of Labor showed that the consumer price index (CPI) registered a 5.4% increase in July.

On a monthly basis, the inflation rate rose by 0.5%, while core inflation edged higher by 0.3%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 220.30 points, or 0.6%, to finish at a record high closing level of 35,484.97 points, after hitting an intraday all-time high of 35,501.16 points earlier in the session.

S&P 500 added 10.95 points, or 0.3%, and closed at a record 4,447.70 points, also after hitting an intraday record high of 4,449.44 points.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite index continues its negative performance, falling by 22.95 points or 0.2%, and closing at 14,765.14 points, despite a slight decline in Treasury bond yields.

In other news, the NYSE announced on Wednesday that it will start to require floor traders to be vaccinated against the coronavirus as of next month.

Starting September 13, access to the NYSE trading floor will be based on being fully vaccinated against the virus.

The move comes in line with similar decisions by some of the market’s blue chips, who are requiring that some or all of their staff be vaccinated.

Concerns over the Delta variant are leading to more preventive measures with higher vaccination rates and calls for wearing face masks in public places, according to the most recent recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).