July PPI flat; core inflation cools, markets rethink Fed path

The producer price index was unchanged in July, below the expected 0.2% gain, while core PPI rose 0.2% (forecast 0.3%). Goods fell 0.7% as energy slid 3.1% (gasoline -5.7%), and services rose 0.2% led by portfolio management; annual PPI gains were 4.7% (all items) and 4.2% (core). Markets rose modestly with futures up and yields down as Fed rate-hike odds shifted, trimming the chance of a September move but keeping October/December in play. CPI rose 0.1% in July, with 0.2% core CPI; initial jobless claims rose to 209,000 for the week ended Aug. 8.