CNBC Daily Open: Is progress on inflation stalling?

China stocks rose while Hong Kong stocks dropped on Monday. The positive travel data boosted the CSI 300 as trading resumed after the Lunar New Year holidays. In the US, the benchmark S&P 500 slipped and the Dow lost 0.37%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.82% due to hotter-than-expected producer price index data for January. The US Federal Reserve’s expected interest rate cut is seen as positive for emerging markets, potentially benefiting Asian currencies. Boeing will not have any commercial aircraft at the Singapore Airshow after recent troubles. Sony’s declining margins in its gaming business have become a major concern. Morgan Stanley is bullish on equity markets despite concerns over valuations. The fear of stalling progress on inflation grips Wall Street following the higher-than-expected producer price index data. This comes after an unexpectedly hot CPI reading, raising worries about inflation control. The latest data reinforces the Fed’s caution on lowering rates before more evidence of disinflation arises. Investors look forward to the release of the personal consumption expenditures price index later this month.