New York, USA — August 15, 2025 | US stock markets closed largely unchanged on Wednesday, holding steady despite a sharp rise in wholesale prices that reignited inflation worries.
The US Labor Department said the Producer Price Index (PPI) — a key gauge of wholesale inflation — recorded its largest monthly increase in nearly a year, fuelled by rising costs in energy, food, and transportation services. The jump has prompted speculation that the Federal Reserve may tread more carefully on future interest rate cuts.
Even with the inflation concerns, the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite remained within tight trading ranges. Analysts attributed the market’s resilience to upbeat corporate earnings from major technology and consumer goods companies, which helped offset fears of sustained price pressures.
Investors are now awaiting fresh retail sales figures and forthcoming Fed signals for clearer direction on the economic outlook.
