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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...

MSFT Leads S&P 500 Close as Tech Giants Diverge

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Photo by Danny Greenberg on Unsplash 📅 September 27, 2026 · 03:12 PM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Market Overview — September 25, 2026 At the Wall Street close today, the market experienced a stark divergence as mega-cap tech shares split sharply, driving mixed sentiment across the major indices. Although precise global levels for the S&P 500 close today were not published in our immediate session feed, underlying capital flows show a bifurcated tape. Microsoft (MSFT) surged +3.66% to close at $516.17 , while Apple (AAPL) rose +1.53% to $341.07 . In contrast, Meta Platforms (META) slumped -3.33% to $751.66 , and Tesla (TSLA) slipped -1.54% to $372.11 . Additionally, Intel (INTC) declined -3.45% to $123.00 . This divergence shows that investors are no longer buying tech as a monolith. Instead, capital rotated into defensive and industrial giants: Costco (COST) climbed +2.93% to $922.77 , while General Electric (GE) ...

S&P 500 Close: MSFT Gains 3.66% in Tech Split

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Photo by Miltiadis Fragkidis on Unsplash 📅 September 26, 2026 · 03:10 PM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Market Overview — September 25, 2026 At the Wall Street close on September 25, 2026, major equity benchmarks displayed significant sector dispersion. The tape shows clear bifurcation within mega-cap technology and industrial names rather than a uniform market direction. Microsoft led gainers with a 3.66% advance to $516.17 , complemented by Apple climbing 1.53% to $341.07 . Conversely, Meta Platforms dropped 3.33% to $751.66 , while semiconductor maker Intel fell 3.45% to $123.00 . Outside technology, industrial heavyweights showed steady strength, with Caterpillar rising 2.03% to $821.58 and General Electric adding 2.29% to $327.09 . Consumer defensive staple Costco also surged 2.93% to close at $922.77 , while ExxonMobil slipped 0.96% to $160.59 . This divergence points to capital shifting toward companies with cle...

Wall Street: META Gains 4.5%: Wall Street Close Today

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Photo by Bumgeun Nick Suh on Unsplash 📅 September 25, 2026 · 08:11 PM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Market Overview — September 25, 2026 At the Wall Street close on September 25, 2026, US stocks demonstrated stark divergence across key equity sectors. High-beta semiconductor and mega-cap technology shares carried heavy momentum, while broad consumer retail and legacy enterprise software names experienced persistent selling pressure throughout the session. During the latest US session, primary index level tick-feeds displayed high internal dispersion. Semiconductor leaders spearheaded gains, driven by strong buying in Meta Platforms Inc (META), which surged +4.50% to finish at $777.59 , alongside Eli Lilly and Co (LLY), up +2.68% at $1181.89 . Intel Corp (INTC) climbed +3.91% to $127.39 , while Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) gained +2.38% to $629.26 . Conversely, Walmart Inc (WMT) slid -2.66% to $107.59 and Internation...

Wall Street Close: Tech Resurgence Amid Real Economy

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Photo by Oren Elbaz on Unsplash 📅 September 25, 2026 · 03:14 PM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Market Overview — September 24, 2026 US stocks closed higher on September 24, 2026, marking a session where large-cap technology and industrial names saw notable strength, even as broader market data for indices like the S&P 500 or NASDAQ were not immediately available. Despite the absence of aggregate index levels, a look at top movers shows a distinct positive bias. Microsoft surged +3.82% to $516.95 , while Apple climbed +1.32% to $340.34 , underscoring investor confidence in established tech. Conversely, Meta Platforms dipped -3.32% to $751.75 , suggesting selective skepticism toward certain growth narratives. This divergence points to a market carefully parsing individual company performance rather than a uniform directional move. The session’s activity hints at capital flowing into perceived quality and robust operational mode...

Wall Street Close: Tech Sell-Off Shifts Market Flows

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Photo by Tomas Eidsvold on Unsplash 📅 September 24, 2026 · 08:27 PM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Market Overview — September 24, 2026 US stocks closed higher on September 24, 2026, though the session was marked by a distinct divergence beneath the surface. While the broad market saw a positive finish, a significant sector rotation took hold. High-growth technology and financial titans experienced notable declines, contrasting sharply with strength in energy and industrial sectors. This movement underscores a capital shift as investors recalibrate expectations for AI-driven growth versus tangible, real economy assets, leading to a complex close for Wall Street today. Today's trading saw prominent tech and financial stocks like Alphabet (GOOGL) plummeting -3.80% to $337.83 and Morgan Stanley (MS) falling -3.75% to $198.39 . Visa (V) also dropped -2.28% , closing at $361.52 , and Goldman Sachs (GS) was down -2.40% at $936.36 ...

Wall Street Close: Rates Surge, AI Stocks Power Up

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Photo by István Szitás on Unsplash 📅 September 24, 2026 · 03:23 PM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Market Overview — September 23, 2026 US stocks closed modestly higher on September 23, 2026, though the session was characterized by stark divergence across sectors. While specific major index levels, overall market volume, and VIX data were not immediately available, the underlying market activity pointed to a clear capital rotation. The session saw significant strength in technology shares tied to artificial intelligence, with chipmakers and major platforms advancing notably. Conversely, defensive consumer retail and traditional tech names faced headwinds. This sectorial split tracks with investors navigating a complex landscape where growth narratives are prized, yet caution pervades regarding consumer resilience in a rising rate environment. This dynamic lines up against recent concerns about household spending power. The market...

S&P 500 futures: Wall Street Opening: Oracle’s Data Center

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Photo by Frolicsome Fairy on Unsplash 📅 September 24, 2026 · 09:14 AM EDT  |  Wall Street Daily Briefing Pre-Market Snapshot Oracle’s stock fall, stemming from data-center setback fears, appears to signal a cautious tone for US equities before the open. Asian and European markets, lacking specific directional cues, offer little immediate momentum. Investor focus today will hinge on how the AI infrastructure narrative absorbs this specific sector weakness. Without specific futures data, the morning's sentiment is qualitatively shaped by news flow. The Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch both highlight Oracle’s stock decline over fears of a "data-center setback," a story breaking close to the 09:09 AM ET pre-market window. This development tracks with the broader 2026 theme of Real Economy Rotation, where AI's software promises are increasingly tied to physical infrastructure. While major Asian indices and European bourses ...