On Wednesday, August 14th, U.S. stock markets closed higher, as the S&P 500 extended its winning streak to five sessions, supported by inflation data hinting at potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, while the Nasdaq also gained slightly despite tech stock pressures and subdued trading due to August vacations. According to economic data, the July 2024 headline CPI inflation dropped to 2.9% year-over-year, down from 3% in June, slightly below the 3% consensus forecast. On a monthly basis, inflation rose by 0.2% in July, recovering from the previous month’s 0.1% decline and aligning with estimates of 0.2%. Most sectors on the S&P 500 closed on a positive note, with financials, information technology, and energy stocks recording the biggest gain, while communication services and ...