Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures wobble after CPI inflation cools more than expected

Market Overview - US stock futures showed mixed signals following a broad market sell-off, with S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures near flatline, while Nasdaq 100 futures also remained little changed after significant selling pressure on tech stocks [1] - The market is reacting to a cooler-than-expected inflation reading, which is influencing expectations regarding Federal Reserve interest rate policies [1][2] Inflation Data - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicated a 0.2% increase in consumer prices for January compared to the previous month, and a 2.4% increase year-on-year, which was lower than economists' expectations [2][5] - The core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose by 0.3% month-on-month and 2.5% year-on-year, aligning with expectations [6] Federal Reserve Outlook - The inflation readings have shifted traders' outlook for potential rate cuts, now pricing in a 51% chance of at least one 25 basis-point cut by the June meeting, while the March meeting is expected to maintain current rates with less than 10% likelihood of a cut [7] Company Earnings and Stock Movements - Rivian's stock surged nearly 20% following a fourth-quarter earnings beat, with the company on track to deliver its R2 midsize model before summer [5][15] - Applied Materials saw its stock climb over 10% after beating Wall Street expectations, contributing to a year-to-date increase of 27% [4][16] - Pinterest shares fell about 20% due to a revenue forecast that fell short of analysts' estimates, raising concerns about AI risks to its platform [4][17] - DraftKings stock dropped 17% after missing analyst expectations for guidance, while Roku's stock rose 15% after beating fourth-quarter earnings estimates [8][9] AI Impact on Market Sentiment - Concerns about AI disruption have affected various sectors, including real estate and logistics, leading to a sell-off in tech stocks, particularly the "Magnificent Seven" megacaps [3] - Conversely, fears surrounding AI have benefited Asian stocks, particularly chipmakers, as global funds shift preference towards hardware producers with strong pricing power [11][12][13]