US Stock Market Holds Steady as Investors Await Crucial Inflation Data
After hitting record highs last week, the US stock market took a breather on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 hovering around the flatline. The Nasdaq Composite also remained stable after a strong performance from tech stocks.
Investors are eagerly awaiting the upcoming inflation update, particularly the PCE index reading set to be released on Thursday. The data will be crucial in determining how the market reacts, as a hotter-than-expected report could trigger a sell-off, while a more moderate increase could support the bullish trend in stocks.
The results of the inflation report will also impact the ongoing debate on the timing of a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve, adding an element of uncertainty to the market.
Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway, led by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, closed in on a $1 trillion market value after reporting record annual profits for the second consecutive year. Buffett credited the company’s longevity and the contribution of his right-hand man, Charlie Munger, for the impressive performance.
In other news, Domino’s Pizza saw its shares rise by 8% after announcing an increase in dividends and surpassing sales estimates for the fourth quarter. The pizza chain’s strong performance further added to the positive sentiment in the stock market.
Overall, investors remain cautiously optimistic as they navigate the impact of inflation data and corporate earnings reports on the market rally.