Hot US CPI data fuels market sell‑off and spikes Fed‑rate‑hike bets

U.S. consumer prices rose 3.7% year‑over‑year in September, above the 3.6% forecast, and core CPI increased 0.3% month‑over‑month. The hotter‑than‑expected inflation lifted Treasury yields and revived expectations of a Fed rate hike, sending the S&P 500 down about 1% and the Nasdaq off roughly 2%. Bank of America reported a 17% drop in third‑quarter profit and a $1.2 billion regulatory penalty, pushing its shares down 7%.

Higher yields and Fed‑rate‑hike expectations pressure growth‑oriented stocks, especially AI‑related names that fell double‑digit percentages, which could curb sector momentum. The $1.2 billion fine adds a material cost for Bank of America and may affect its earnings outlook.

  • 1September CPI was up 3.7% year‑over‑year, exceeding the 3.6% estimate.
  • 2Core CPI rose 0.3% month‑over‑month and 2.6% year‑over‑year, both above expectations.
  • 3The Nasdaq Composite fell about 1.9% after the inflation release.
  • 4The S&P 500 dropped roughly 1% (0.9‑1.1% range across reports).
  • 5Bank of America’s third‑quarter profit fell 17% year‑over‑year and the bank took a $1.2 billion regulatory penalty.
  • 6Bank of America shares fell as much as 7% in early trading.

Sources