• Dow Jones held close to the middle on a thin start to the new trading week.
• Equities to remain nervous ahead of key inflation data.
• Fresh batch of US PPI and CPI inflation prints due this week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) pulled into the middle again on Monday, echoing last Friday’s stubborn midrange pin after investors half-hearted attempts to stage a technical rally in the equity index fizzled near key technical levels. Momentum is set to remain subdued as investors buckle down for the wait to key midweek Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figures due on Wednesday.

US Producer Price Index (PPI) business-level inflation figures are on the docket for Tuesday, and markets are hoping for a continued easing in structural inflation pressures. Core PPI for the year ended in July is forecast to ease to 2.7% from the previous 3.0%.

Wednesday’s YoY core CPI inflation is likewise expected to tick down to 3.2% from the previous 3.3%. Markets have trapped themselves in a Goldilocks forecast scenario; if CPI comes in too high, market sentiment will take a hit. On the other hand, if CPI comes in too low, it could spark another fear-fueled pullback, leaving the only topside option available to equities a soft but not too soft inflation print.