March CPI rises 2.6% core YoY; stocks rally on cooler inflation data

Core CPI hit 2.6% year-over-year in March, slightly above February's 2.5%, while month-over-month held at 0.2%. Equity markets surged on the print, with Nasdaq up 1.4% and tech stocks leading. Data supports Fed rate-cut expectations later in 2026. Traders see reduced hawkish risk, favoring risk assets and pressuring the dollar.