Stocks followed a strong start to the session with something of a whimper as a comforting reading on consumer price inflation only confirmed market participants' rate-cut bets. The red-hot tech sector was mixed,

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.