US stocks opened slightly higher on Friday as investors absorbed the latest inflation data and recalibrated expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next move. The market reaction was cautious, with traders still trying to determine whether price pressures are easing enough to support a rate cut later this year.

The modest gains reflected a broader wait-and-see mood on Wall Street. While the inflation reading did not trigger a sharp repricing across markets, it gave investors another data point to gauge how quickly the central bank may be able to shift toward easier policy.

Analysts say the path ahead remains tied to incoming economic reports, especially signs of whether inflation is cooling without a major slowdown in growth. For now, equities appear to be holding near positive territory as traders balance hopes for lower borrowing costs against uncertainty over the pace of disinflation.

The latest move underscores how closely markets remain focused on the Fed’s next decision window. Until there is clearer evidence that price growth is retreating sustainably, investors are likely to keep reacting selectively to each new round of economic data.