U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish Wednesday after the latest inflation update boosted hopes that more help for the economy will arrive next month through a cut to interest rates. The S&P 500 was nearly unchanged and edged up by less than 0.

The fierce rally in U.S. stocks since November’s presidential election took a pause on Tuesday as bond yields marched higher and investors awaited a new reading on consumer inflation. Inflation became a major flashpoint issue in the 2024 election,

Stocks finished mixed Wednesday, as investors looked through a key inflation reading that could accelerate repricing of the so-called 'Trump Trade' and test the market's solid post-election rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 47.