A slightly smaller-than-expected rise in consumer prices injected some optimism into Wall Street today. The Nasdaq saw a triple-digit win as Treasury yields tumbled, while the S&P 500 also finished higher. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 30 points and logged its third-straight day in the red, as some investors worried slowing inflation could be a sign of recession. Traders are now looking ahead to tomorrow's producer price index (PPI), as they continue to monitor the U.S. debt ceiling standstill.

OIL PRICES FALL AS U.S. CRUDE SUPPLIES RISE

Oil prices settled lower on Wednesday after the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported U.S. crude inventories rose by 3 million barrels last week for its first gain in four weeks. In turn, June-dated crude dropped $1.15, or 1.6%, to close at $72.56 per barrel.

Gold prices finished lower as well, as the future of interest rates remained unclear after today's inflation report. June-dated gold shed $5.80, or 0.3%, to close at $2,037.10 an ounce.

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