Wall Street futures stabilize as cooling inflation data offsets labor market concerns
U.S. stock futures steadied on Friday after consumer price data came in lower than expected. The cooling inflation figures revived hopes for interest rate cuts.
Insights:
The US 
US Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% year-on-year, coming in slightly below the 2.5% estimate from a Reuters poll, according to data released by the U.S. Labor Department on February 13, 2026. This softer-than-expected inflation print produced muted equity market reactions and revived expectations for future Federal Reserve (U.S. central bank) rate cuts. The reading is particularly significant as it directly influences interest-rate expectations and equity valuations across multiple sectors during an active earnings season where capital expenditure and valuation questions are central.
US Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% year-on-year, coming in slightly below the 2.5% estimate from a Reuters poll, according to data released by the U.S. Labor Department on February 13, 2026. This softer-than-expected inflation print produced muted equity market reactions and revived expectations for future Federal Reserve (U.S. central bank) rate cuts. The reading is particularly significant as it directly influences interest-rate expectations and equity valuations across multiple sectors during an active earnings season where capital expenditure and valuation questions are central.
