DOW SURGES 500: Wall Street Breaks Four-Day Losing Streak...

Softer-than-expected inflation readings gave stock traders reason to buy Tuesday, with the Dow climbing past 400 points as crude oil prices fell alongside expectations for aggressive interest-rate hikes. When inflation data comes in cooler than forecasters predicted, markets typically interpret it as a signal the Federal Reserve might pause or slow its campaign of rate increases, which have hammered stocks since last year. Energy stocks tend to retreat in this scenario since lower rates reduce borrowing costs but also cool economic growth and fuel demand.