U.S CPI Report Day Could Change Everything for Markets

U.S. inflation data drops at 8:30 AM ET today, and markets are preparing for a potentially major shock. March CPI came in at 3.3%, but forecasts for April are now climbing toward 3.7% year-over-year — the highest inflation reading in nearly two years. Rising energy prices tied to Middle East tensions are already pushing costs higher, while tariff impacts have yet to fully hit the data. Core CPI is also expected to rise, strengthening fears that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for much longer than investors hoped.