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What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

What is the Consumer Price Index(CPI)? The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. It is one of the most widely followed economic indicators, and it is used by investors to gauge inflation and make investment decisions. How is the CPI calculated? The CPI is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS surveys households across the United States to collect data on the prices they pay for goods and services. This data is then used to create a "basket" of goods and services that represents the spending habits of the average American household. The BLS calculates the CPI by comparing the prices in the basket of goods and services in a given month to the prices in the same basket of goods and services in a base year. The base year is usually 2000. How does the CPI affect investing? The CPI is an important indicator of inflation. When the CPI rises, it means that the cost of living is incre...

Oil's Geopolitical Plunge & The 'Better Than Tech' Scramble: Your 2026 Pre-Market Game Plan

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📅 May 20, 2026 · 09:08 AM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Pre-Market Snapshot US equity futures are signaling a cautiously optimistic open tonight, with all major indices tracking higher. This positive sentiment contrasts with a mixed performance across Asian markets, while European indices showed modest gains. The key catalyst appears to be a significant drop in global oil prices, which may ease some stagflationary fears, potentially paving the way for capital rotation into growth-oriented sectors. As the US market anticipates its open, S&P 500 futures are trading at 7405.5 , up by 0.37% , suggesting a solid start. NASDAQ futures lead the charge with a 0.67% gain, reaching 29118.75 , while Dow futures are up 0.37% at 49640.0 . The Russell 2000 futures also show strength, rising 0.60% to 2769.6 . Earlier, Asian markets closed mostly lower, with the Nikkei 225 down 1.23% to 59804.41 and the KOSPI declining 0.86% to 7208.95. Euro...

HSI Dips 0.53% Amid Tech Selloff: Is Geopolitical Risk Premium Overshadowing Real Economy Rotation?

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📅 May 20, 2026 · 03:37 AM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Hong Kong Market Overview The Hang Seng Index closed down 0.53% at 25661.23 today, primarily driven by a broad sell-off in technology shares and a cautious sentiment ahead of tonight's US market open. Investors appear to be recalibrating their risk exposure, with the geopolitical risk premium weighing on growth-sensitive sectors, despite some resilience in financials. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) retreated by 0.53% , closing at 25661.23 points on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. This dip was largely influenced by a significant 1.11% decline in the iShares Hang Seng Tech Index, signaling a continued re-evaluation of high-growth valuations. Trading volume, while not explicitly provided, often tracks below a 30-day average during periods of uncertainty, suggesting hesitant institutional participation. Market breadth was negative, with decliners outnumbering advancers by a margi...