Wall Street opens mixed after better-than-expected inflation data

Wall Street experienced a mixed opening on Friday, August 14, 2026, even as key indices like the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq appeared set for their third consecutive week of gains. This performance followed the release of inflation data that proved better than expected.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.11% to 53,780 points shortly after trading began. In contrast, the S&P 500, which had closed at a new record high the previous day, edged up 0.02% to 7,800. The Nasdaq composite also saw a slight increase, advancing 0.04% to 26,813.

Investor sentiment was buoyed by the latest inflation figures. Producer prices in the United States rose 4.7% year-on-year in July, marking a slowdown from June's 5.5% and representing the second consecutive deceleration. On a month-to-month basis, producer prices remained unchanged. Additionally, consumer prices saw a slight decrease of one-tenth of a percent, reaching 3.4%, primarily driven by lower fuel costs.

These economic indicators have led investors to believe that the Federal Reserve will likely refrain from raising interest rates in September. Market expectations for any rate hikes for the remainder of the year have also diminished, according to the FedWatch tool. In other markets, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil saw a minor increase of 0.02% to $81.27 a barrel, amidst news of potential US economic sanctions against Iran. Gold prices rose 0.58% to $4,446 an ounce, while silver gained 0.76% to $65.5 per ounce. The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond climbed to 4.653%.