US Stocks Fall as Hotter CPI Sparks Rate Hike Fears

Major US stock indices declined following a hotter-than-expected Consumer Price Index report that heightened concerns over potential Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. The S&P 500 fell 0.7 percent just a day after recording its best performance since April. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.4 percent and the Nasdaq 100 declined 1.20 percent. This market downturn reflects growing investor anxiety regarding sustained inflationary pressures and monetary policy tightening.