U.S. Stock Markets Rally Following Soft PPI Data

U.S. stock indexes rose significantly after July's producer price index (PPI) data came in lower than expected, bolstering expectations for potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The PPI increased just 0.1% for the month and 2.2% year-over-year, down from 2.7% in June, which led to increased investor confidence that the Fed might act soon to lower rates. The Nasdaq Composite surged over 2%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones also recorded substantial gains. Analysts are anticipating the upcoming consumer price index (CPI) report, which could further influence rate cut expectations. Bank of America's survey indicates that 76% of investors now predict a soft landing for the global economy, driven by expectations of lower interest rates. Notably, Starbucks shares spiked after appointing a new CEO, while Tencent Music faced a sharp decline in stock value due to disappointing revenue reports.