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Stocks hit record highs, yields fall; US CPI raises rate cut hopes

International stock markets rose to record highs while U.S. Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar fell on Wednesday as data revealed U.S. consumer costs increased less than expected in April, recommending inflation has actually resumed a. down pattern in the 2nd quarter.

The CPI report raised expectations that the Federal Reserve. will cut interest rates two times this year.

The Dow and S&P 500 registered record closing highs for the. very first time considering that March 28 and the Nasdaq published a record closing. high for the 2nd session in a row, while the MSCI world stock. index was likewise set for a 2nd straight record. high close.

Europe's primary share index notched a record high as. well.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Stats said its customer price. index increased by 0.3% in April, below expectations for an increase. of 0.4%, while on an annual basis, CPI was up 3.4%, in line with. forecasts and below the previous month's 3.5% rate.

Investors do not anticipate any rate hikes in 2024, but they. have actually needed to dial back expectations for rate cuts, given the. determination of inflation.

CPI was an excellent report, said Oliver Pursche, senior vice. president and advisor at Wealthspire Advisors in Westport,. Connecticut.

As we've been talking about, progress is being made on the. inflation front, however it is unequal. So I don't think this changes. the Fed's trajectory or strategy, but it should offer investors and. customers self-confidence that we're relocating the right direction,. Pursche added.

Fed funds futures traders are now pricing in 52 basis points. of cuts this year, up from 45 basis points on Tuesday, with the. initially 25 basis-point cut likely in September.

On Tuesday, data showed U.S. manufacturer rates increased more. than anticipated in April.

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari on Wednesday. reiterated his view that he is not sure how restrictive financial. policy is right now, which loaning costs should remain where. they are as U.S. central bankers take stock of inflation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 349.89 points,. or 0.88%, to 39,908.00, the S&P 500 gained 61.47 points,. or 1.17%, to 5,308.15 and the Nasdaq Composite acquired. 231.21 points, or 1.40%, to 16,742.39.

MSCI's gauge of stocks around the world was up 7.89 points,. or 1.00%, to 793.77 and hit an intraday record high. The STOXX. 600 index rose 0.59%.

U.S. Treasury yields fell to more than five-week lows after. the CPI report.

Standard 10-year yields were last down 9 basis. points at 4.356% and reached as low as 4.340%, the most affordable level. since April 5.

The dollar fell versus significant currencies after the CPI. report.

The dollar index, which determines the greenback. against a basket of significant currencies including the yen and the. euro, fell to a fresh one-month low at 104.30, and was last. 0.66% lower at 104.35.

Among the dollar's biggest declines was against the yen. as it weakened 0.96% to 154.94.

The drop would likely keep at bay currency intervention by. the Bank of Japan and other authorities, said Marvin Loh, senior. international macro strategist at State Street in Boston.

In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin gained 7.17% to. $ 66,045.00. Ethereum increased 4.51% to $3,021.3.

U.S. crude acquired 61 cents to settle at $78.63 a. barrel and Brent increased 37 cents to settle at $82.75 per. barrel. Area gold climbed up over 1% to $2,386.63 per ounce.

(source: Reuters)