Dow Jones and Nasdaq flatter as Oracle lifts tech but Gulf shipping attacks eyed

Economic Indicators - Headline CPI rose 0.3% month-on-month and 2.4% year-on-year, matching forecasts [2] - Core inflation increased 0.2% on the month and 2.5% annually, also in line with consensus [3] - The largely unchanged readings suggest underlying price pressures remained stable heading into the recent surge in energy prices [4] Market Reactions - Dow futures are down 0.3%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures are down around 0.15% following the CPI release [4] - US futures were pointing to a cautious open ahead of the inflation data, with Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all down around 0.1% to 0.15% [6] - European stocks faced heavier pressure, with London's FTSE 100 down 0.9% and Germany's DAX off 1.4%, led lower by exporters, defense stocks, and miners [6] Commodity Prices - Oil prices are on the rise, with WTI up over 3% at $86.63 a barrel due to escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz [6] - Agricultural commodity prices have moved sharply, with cocoa up nearly 20% this month, and coffee and wheat both around 5% higher [7] Company News - Oracle's shares were up almost 10% afterhours following an overnight earnings beat [8]