Inflation remains in check, as the Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand was unchanged in July.  Core PPI, excluding food and energy, increased 0.1%.  Both numbers were less than consensus, 0.3% for PPI and 0.2% for core PPI.  Year-over-year, PPI was up 3.3% compared to 3.4%, core PPI was up 2.7% versus 2.8% in June. 

Bond yields eased on the news that inflation is abating, the yield on the 10-Year Treasury declined 0.03 basis points (bps) to 2.94%. 

The prospect of lower yields has home builders trading higher and banks trading lower.  The KBW Bank Index, BKX, is lower by 0.63%, while the Home Construction Etf, ITB, is higher by 0.75%.  Telecom continues to power higher, with the Telecom Etf, IYZ, higher by 1.27% led by CenturyLink (CTL), which is up over 12% after reporting earnings.  The SPDR S&P Retail Etf (XRT) is testing levels not seen since 2015.  Zumiez (ZUMZ) reported stellar earnings and is trading higher by over 6%.  Comparable same store sales increased 9.1% at ZUMZ. 

Equity indexes are hovering near the flat line:

• Dow is lower by 0.07%
• S&P 500 is higher by 0.05%
• Nasdaq is higher by 0.32%
• Russell 2000 is higher by 0.57%

Breadth: Positive

• NYSE advances are 1,566 to declines of 1,298; new 52-week highs are 101 to 29 new lows
• Nasdaq advances 1,666 to declines 1,209; new 52-week highs are 100 to new lows 50