By Victor Reklaitis, MarketWatch

Analyst: 'Today's U.S. CPI inflation report has taken on an importance all of its own in the wake of the recently strong wages numbers'

U.S. stock futures pointed to a gain at the open, setting the Dow on track for its fourth up day in a row, as global equity markets recover from their selloff earlier this month.

Investors are bracing for a reading on inflation that's due before the open. The report has taken on heightened significance as the recent market drop has been blamed in large part on inflation concerns.

Check out:Why this investment pro thinks inflation fears are overblown (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-this-investment-pro-thinks-wall-streets-inflation-fears-are-overblown-2018-02-13)

And read:Higher wages spook Wall Street, but fresh fears of inflation look overdone (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/inflation-fears-haunt-wall-street-again-but-investors-might-just-be-having-a-bad-dream-2018-02-10)

What are the main benchmarks doing?

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose by 134 points, or 0.6%, to 24,759, while S&P 500 futures added 11.05 points, or 0.4%, to 2,673. Nasdaq-100 futures tacked on 31 points, or 0.5%, to 6,592.

On Tuesday, the Dow , S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite all scored modest gains (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/third-straight-win-for-us-stocks-in-doubt-as-dow-futures-tumble-more-than-100-points-2018-02-13), leaving each gauge 7% below its January record close.

What could help drive markets?

The three indexes have advanced for three straight sessions, recovering from a tumble this month that strategists pinned in large part on rising bond yields amid signs of inflation. The higher yields lured money out of equities, which also looked overdue for a drop after a relentless runup.

Read:Here's a 10-step plan the stock market must complete to get back on track (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-a-10-step-plan-the-stock-market-must-complete-to-get-back-on-track-2018-02-13)

And see:This market selloff was overdue, but now it looks overdone (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-market-selloff-was-overdue-but-now-it-looks-overdone-strategists-say-2018-02-10)

The January report on inflation is slated to hit at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with economists polled by MarketWatch forecasting a 0.4% rise for the consumer price index, along with a 0.2% rise for the core CPI.

What are strategists saying?

"Today's U.S. CPI inflation report has taken on an importance all of its own in the wake of the recently strong wages numbers, never mind the fact that the Fed doesn't even use CPI to target inflation," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, in a note.

"Nonetheless, this renewed focus on inflation, not only in the U.S. but more globally, has raised concerns that central banks may well be behind the curve when it comes to assessing the outlook for the next few months."

Don't miss:Why Valentine's Day may represent the next big test for stocks (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/weeks-inflation-data-is-seen-as-the-markets-next-big-tests-2018-02-12)

What other economic reports are due?

On the docket alongside the inflation report is a release on January retail sales, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern, with 0.2% growth expected. Then a December reading on business inventories is scheduled to land at 10 a.m. Eastern.

Check out:MarketWatch's Economic Calendar (http://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendars/economic)

No Federal Reserve official is scheduled to give a speech.

What are other assets doing?

European stocks (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-perk-up-after-german-growth-data-2018-02-14)mostly gained, while Asian markets finished mixed (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/asian-markets-largely-quiet-ahead-of-lunar-new-year-holiday-2018-02-13).

Gold futures edged higher, oil futures (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-prices-weighed-by-rise-in-us-oil-output-inventories-2018-02-14)lost ground, and the ICE U.S. Dollar Index (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollars-descent-carries-on-as-us-inflation-data-looms-2018-02-14)was little changed.

Which stocks look like key movers?

Fossil Group Inc.'s stock (FOSL) surged 79% in premarket action after the watch seller late Tuesday posted better-than-expected earnings (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fossil-group-explodes-more-than-50-higher-after-earnings-2018-02-13) and KeyBanc analysts hiked their price target (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fossil-shares-soar-70-as-keybanc-raises-price-target-to-25-vs-15-2018-02-14).

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.'s shares (CMG)soared 12% premarket after the burrito chain late Tuesday named a new CEO (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotle-chooses-taco-bell-ceo-as-new-leader-stock-soars-2018-02-13): Brian Niccol, previously the CEO for Yum Brands Inc.'s (YUM) Taco Bell business.

In earnings news, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.(HLT) beat profit forecast, sending shares 2% higher.

Molson Coors Brewing Co.(TAP) shares rose 2.7% after better-than-expected earnings results.

SodaStream International Ltd.(SODA) shares are up 9.4% after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue that beat consensus.

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 14, 2018 08:19 ET (13:19 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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