Inflation fears send investors scurrying for the exit
CBSN
Stocks fell sharply Wednesday as investors fretted over data showing that U.S. consumer prices rose at their fastest rate last month since 2008, raising concerns about surging inflation.
The Dow slid 681 points, or 2%, to close at 33,588. The broader S&P 500 stock index fell 89 points, or 2.1%, to 4,061, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq ended the day down 2.7%. The S&P 500, which like the Dow reached a record high on May 7, is flirting with its worst weekly drop since October. Investors have been worrying that inflation could return after being absent for many years as the economy revs out of the recession brought on by the pandemic. Federal Reserve officials and other economists have said moderate inflation may actually be a good thing in a recovery.
Washington — Amid Trump administration demands for Tehran to keep the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials have told CBS News that there are at least a dozen underwater mines through the vital passageway, according to current American intelligence assessments. Arden Farhi, Kathryn Watson, Caroline Linton, Aimee Picchi and Layla Ferris contributed to this report.












