US Equity Markets Mixed as Investors Weigh Soft Inflation Data

04:08 PM EST, 02/13/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes were mixed Friday as investors weighed a tame key consumer inflation report.

* The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% in January, coming in below the 0.3% forecast by economists surveyed by Bloomberg. On an annual basis, inflation cooled to 2.4%, its lowest level since June. This marks a decline from December's 2.7% rate and falls below the consensus estimate of 2.5%.

* Core inflation, which removes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.3% January, up from 0.2% in December and matching forecasts. On an annual basis, the core rate slowed to 2.5% from 2.6%, the lowest level recorded since March 2021.

* March West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell $0.25 to settle at $62.59 per barrel, while April Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.08 at $67.44.

* Applied Materials (AMAT) delivered several upside surprises in fiscal Q1 results overnight, signaling a "leap forward" rather than gradual gains, Morgan Stanley said in a report. Shares were up about 8.3%.

* Constellation Brands (STZ) shares were down nearly 8%, the worst performer on the S&P 500, after the company appointed Nicholas Fink as its chief executive officer. The appointment is neutral to slightly negative and could have "sizable implications" for it, Deutsche Bank said in a note e-mailed Friday.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.