U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish Wednesday after the latest inflation update boosted hopes that more help for the economy will arrive next month through a cut to interest rates. The S&P 500 was nearly unchanged and edged up by less than 0.

U.S. stocks were mixed in early Wednesday trading, while Treasury yields slipped and the dollar steadied, as investors looked through a key inflation reading that could accelerate repricing of the so-called 'Trump Trade' and test the market's solid post-election rally.