Wall Street Rally Lifts Nasdaq 20% On Lower Inflation Report

Wall Street surged on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, putting the Nasdaq more than 20% above its June low, after US inflation slowed more than expected in July and raised hopes the Federal Reserve will become less aggressive on interest rates hikes, Reuters reported.

Photo Insert: This was the biggest single-day gain for both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 in two weeks, and for the Dow in three weeks. It was the highest close for the S&P 500 since early May.

A sharp drop in the cost of gasoline helped the US Consumer Price Index stay flat last month after advancing 1.3% in June, the Labor Department said. The CPI rose by a less-than-expected 8.5% over the past 12 months after a 9.1% rise in June.

The rally came in the wake of the first notable sign of relief for Americans who have watched inflation steadily climb.

The Nasdaq now is up 20.8% since bottoming but still needs to pass its prior peak in November to confirm a new bull market. Fed funds futures traders are now pricing in only a 43.5% chance that the U.S. central bank hikes rates by 75 basis points when it meets in September, compared with 68% before the data. A 50 basis point hike is seen as a 56.5% probability.

The rally on Wall Street was broad-based, with all 11 S&P 500 sectors rising in a sea of green. Growth stocks rose more than value, while Dow transports, small caps and semiconductors also rose.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 535.1 points, or 1.63%, to 33,309.51, while the S&P 500 gained 87.77 points, or 2.13%, to 4,210.24 and the Nasdaq Composite added 360.88 points, or 2.89%, to 12,854.81.

It was the biggest single-day gain for both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 in two weeks, and for the Dow in three weeks. It was the highest close for the S&P 500 since early May.

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