US stocks finish the week mostly lower as July inflation data comes in mixed

• US stocks finished the week mostly lower as investors digest mixed inflation data.
• While the July CPI report came in lower than expected, the producer price index was higher than economist estimates.
• The conflicting data will serve as a major input into the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision.

US stocks were mixed on Friday and finished the week mostly lower as investors digest inflationary data, which will serve as a major input into the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision in September.

The July consumer price index came in lower than economist estimates and showed a continued cooldown in inflation, while July producer price index came in hotter than economist estimates, though it did indicate most prices are falling from year-ago levels.