Daily Summary: Rising inflation weighs on markets, semiconductors suffer most (14.10.2026)

Wednesday's US consumer price inflation reading came in higher than market consensus, prompting an immediate surge in Treasury yields, a rally in the US dollar to its highest level since May 2025, and a broad sell-off across global equity and precious metals markets.

Concurrently, investors monitored the further escalation of the conflict in Saudi Arabia. Missile and drone strikes by Houthi forces hit Saudi Aramco's headquarters and disrupted operations at the country's principal airport, which, alongside additional maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, provided upward support for crude oil prices.

Macroeconomic data

Today's CPI report printed above consensus estimates. Headline inflation accelerated to 3.7% YoY (up from 3.4% in August), exceeding the forecasted 3.6%. Core inflation (excluding food and energy) rose to 2.6% YoY against expectations of 2.5%. Inflation has now remained above the Federal Reserve's target for 66 consecutive months, with little indication of a prompt return to target.

Figure 1: US CPI inflation and wage growth (2021 - 2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

Prices are increasing at their fastest pace in five months. The primary driver of this increase was energy costs, particularly fuel (+9.1% MoM and 34% YoY). Upward pressure is also evident across other sectors: computer and component costs advanced 9.7% YoY, driven by the data centre construction boom and shortages in semiconductor memory.

On a monthly basis, headline CPI increased by 0.6% (the steepest monthly gain in five months), while the core measure rose by 0.3%. Consequently, 3-month annualized core inflation momentum has re-accelerated above the Fed's target.

Figure 2: US core CPI inflation momentum (14.10.2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

The breadth of inflationary pressures is also widening. In September, more than 52% of basket components recorded annualised price growth exceeding 3%, with 35% advancing at a rate above 4%.

However, it is notable that a substantial proportion of the core increase was attributable to a single component – Owner's Equivalent Rent (OER). Given the relative stability observed in the housing market over preceding months, questions remain regarding whether this spike represents a temporary anomaly.

Fixed income market

US Treasury yields spiked sharply following the release, although the movement was relatively short-lived. Benchmark 10-year yields briefly touched 5.33% before retreating to trade around 5.20%. Two-year Treasury yields, which are particularly sensitive to monetary policy expectations, briefly reached 4.95% before settling near 4.83%.

Figure 3: US 10-year Treasury yields and WTI crude oil (06.2026 - 10.2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

Monetary policy and foreign exchange

Money markets swiftly repriced the anticipated trajectory of Fed interest rate decisions. Market-implied odds of an interest rate increase at the October meeting rose from approximately 20% yesterday to nearly 50%. This shift underpinned broader US dollar strength, with the greenback advancing against all G10 peers as EUR/USD approached 1.11.

Figure 4: Major currencies vs US dollar (05.10.2026 - 14.10.2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

Equity markets

US equity indices are under noticeable pressure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 0.5%, the S&P 500 has dropped 1.3%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 has fallen 2.1%.

Semiconductor stocks are suffering the steepest losses. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX), which has faced headwinds in recent sessions, is trading down nearly 4.5%.

Figure 5: Gainers and losers in the Nasdaq 100 (14.10.2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

Market participants are increasingly questioning the sustainability of the artificial intelligence capital expenditure cycle, citing rising corporate leverage, elevated interest rates, stretched valuations, and intensifying competition (including from China's CXMT).

Figure 6: Gainers and losers in the S&P 500 (14.10.2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

Precious metals under pressure

Gold is trading lower by approximately 2%, slipping below $4,090 per ounce. Silver has experienced an even sharper decline, falling 6%. The precious metals complex remains heavily constrained by the upward momentum in US real yields.

Figure 7: Gold (2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

Energy commodities

Geopolitical risk premiums in energy markets remain elevated following the conflict escalation in Saudi Arabia. Brent crude is up just over 0.5% ($106 per barrel), while WTI has advanced 1.4% (to around $95.5 per barrel). Houthi forces have continued strikes against Saudi infrastructure, targeting Saudi Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran and the main international airport. These developments occur less than two weeks ahead of the flagship Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.

Figure 8: Brent and WTI crude oil (2026)

Source: XTB Research, 14.10.2026

Former President Trump accused Houthi forces of deliberately inflating oil prices "at Iran's direction" ahead of the November US Congressional elections, remarking: "I'll be there after the Elections, and I will never forget!"

Additionally, Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure and ongoing security threats to maritime tankers in the Strait of Hormuz continue to provide fundamental support to energy prices.

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Michał Jóźwiak, Financial Markets Analyst at XTB