PPI Inflation Data Cools Wall Street Rally: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Slip

The latest U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers have given Wall Street a reality check. PPI tracks the prices businesses pay for goods and services before they reach consumers. It is often seen as an early sign of inflation trends. This month’s data showed that inflation at the wholesale level cooled more than expected. At first glance, that sounds like good news. Lower costs for producers can mean lower prices for us as consumers.