S&P 500 Selloff Shows Inflation Risk Is Still Capping Equity Multiples

The S&P 500 declined 0.88% as May's Consumer Price Index showed headline inflation accelerating to 4.2%, the fastest pace in three years, driven primarily by energy costs. While core inflation remained moderate at 2.9%, the market rotated away from large-cap technology stocks toward defensive sectors and small-caps. Oil prices fell despite U.S.-Iran military exchanges, suggesting contained geopolitical risk. The Federal Reserve faces pressure to potentially raise rates, with markets pricing in a 25-basis-point hike by December.