Ep23: CPI Clarity Lifts Markets: Record Highs & Rate-Cut Momentum — August 12th, 2025

On today’s episode of The Gentle Ledger, we glide through a day of record-breaking gains on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at fresh highs and the Dow climbing within reach of its own. We’ll unpack the softer-than-expected inflation print that has markets pricing in a near-certain September Fed rate cut, and explore how this shift rippled across sectors—from airlines and chipmakers to standout corporate stories. Our journey continues beyond U.S. shores, tracing the rally’s echo across Asia and Europe, where the Nikkei set a new all-time high and the RBA’s rate cut sent Australian shares soaring. We’ll also take a measured look at commodities, currencies, and bond yields, before closing with a check-in on Bitcoin’s quiet but steady climb. Whether you’re winding down or catching up, this is your slow, steady walk through the numbers, narratives, and nuance shaping today’s markets.