Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).

The data on inflation is encouraging because it could mean less pain for lower- and middle-income households struggling with still-high increases in prices every month.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are heading for records on Friday after an update on inflation came in a bit less painful than feared.

The S&P 500 rose 0.9% and was on track to top its all-time high , which was set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 411 points, or 0.9%, as of 10:15 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.2% higher. Both were also rising toward records.

The data on inflation is encouraging because it could mean less pain for lower- and middle-income households struggling with still-high increases in pri

See Full Page