San Francisco Frontiers - Stocks advance on US inflation slowing, Ukraine ceasefire plan

Global markets have endured severe swings this month as US President Donald Trump looks to ramp up pressure on global partners by imposing or threatening hefty duties on their goods, citing huge trade imbalances.

Markets have worried that the tariffs could spark a surge in inflation and drive a stake into chances that the US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates further.

But headline annual US consumer inflation slowed slightly to 2.8 percent in February, in the first full month of Donald Trump's White House return.

That was slightly better than analysts were expecting. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, dipped to an annual rate of 3.1 percent as forecast.

"The inflation data are a bright spot in the Federal Reserve's battle against rising prices. They reinforce the expectation of three rate cuts later in 2025," said Jochen Stanzl, chief market analyst at CMC Markets.

"Sentiment on Wall Street is so negative that these positive inflation figures could spark a broader recovery in stock prices," he added.

Wall Street's main stock indices shot higher at the start of trading with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rising 1.7 percent.

But they had trouble holding onto the gains, with the Dow briefly dipping into the red.

The "momentum has struggled to sustain itself," said Daniela Sabin Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com.

"Equity indices have found limited buying interest to push significantly higher," she added.

In Europe, Frankfurt stocks jumped 1.8 percent in afternoon trading, while Paris gained 1.2 percent. London added 0.4 percent.

Analysts said support also came from Ukraine endorsing an American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which was awaiting a response from Russia.

Stanzl said further developments in US trade policy could shift sentiment "as many investors link tariffs with higher inflation, which could soon undo the hard-won declines achieved by the Federal Reserve."

In the latest move, sweeping 25 percent levies on all US aluminium and steel imports came into effect, hitting numerous nations from Brazil to South Korea, as well as the European Union.

Trump had threatened to double those on Canada after Ontario imposed an electricity surcharge on three US states, but he called that off after the province halted the charge.

China and the European Union on Wednesday vowed to strike back and defend their economic interests, moving Washington closer to an all-out trade war with two major partners.

The on-off nature of the trade policies has fuelled uncertainty in markets, and has sent the VIX "fear index" of volatility to its highest level since August.

"Market volatility is rising as visibility (over tariffs) becomes cloudier by the day," noted Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.

Analysts said high uncertainty in US stocks markets made other regions more attractive as investors seek out stability.

"Investors are increasingly looking overseas as concerns mount over US stock valuations, monetary policy, and economic uncertainty," said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo.

Asian markets ended mostly lower on Wednesday.

- Key figures around 1330 GMT -

New York - Dow: UP 0.5 percent at 41,642.67 points

New York - S&P 500: UP 1.0 percent at 5,627.72

New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.7 percent at 17,725.63

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 8,532.01

Paris - CAC 40: UP 1.2 percent at 8,036.15

Frankfurt - DAX: UP 1.8 percent at 22,718.90

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.1 percent at 36,819.09 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 23,600.31 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.2 percent at 3,371.92 (close)

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0894 from $1.0915 on Tuesday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2953 from $1.2954

Dollar/yen: UP at 148.85 yen from 147.70 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 84.10 pence from 84.26 pence

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.4 percent at $70.53 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.6 percent at $67.31 per barrel

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L.Nguyen--SFF