Fed's Key Inflation Rate Aligns with Expectations, Boosting S&P 500

The Federal Reserve’s primary inflation gauge, the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, maintained a steady pace in the fourth quarter, aligning with expectations and supporting a buoyant stock market. The Commerce Department data revealed that the U.S. GDP growth slowed less than anticipated, with the core PCE price index rising at an annual rate of 2% in Q4. This consistency, marking the second consecutive quarter of 2% annualized inflation, aligns with the Federal Reserve’s target and follows higher increases earlier in the year. The news, indicating manageable inflation levels, bolstered investor optimism and led to a solid rise in the S&P 500, which achieved another record closing high.