Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures stall as key inflation report looms

The upcoming CPI report is crucial as it may influence the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions. A lower-than-expected inflation number might lead to a more dovish stance from the Fed, which could support higher stock prices. Investors should keep a close watch on the CPI release, as positive results could signal potential growth in equity markets. Meanwhile, the anticipation of earnings reports from companies like Reddit could also sway market sentiments positively if they outperform expectations.

Given the current inflation concerns and the Fed's cautious approach, there may be volatility and potential downward pressure on equities if the CPI report shows higher-than-anticipated inflation figures. This could lead to fears of tighter monetary policy in the near term, causing investors to retreat from riskier assets. Therefore, the outlook remains mixed until the CPI report is released. Investors should prepare for possible swings in both directions based on the CPI results.