0903 ET - February PPI comes in hotter than expected at 0.7% ahead of the Fed's interest rate decision later today. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal were expecting a 0.3% gain. The so-called core rate climbs 0.5% versus the WSJ expectation of a 0.3% rise. The PPI readings may complicate the Fed's job as it balances controlling inflation with supporting the job market. The war in Iran has sent oil prices sharply higher, adding a new source of price pressure on top of tariffs that may not have fully passed through the economy. (jessica.coacci@wsj.com; jessica_coacci)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 18, 2026 09:03 ET (13:03 GMT)

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