Dow edges higher at midday, stocks shake off early weakness as investors parse inflation data

U.S. stocks edged higher Friday around midsession after data showed producer prices climbed by a faster rate than expected last month, challenging hopes that inflation might quickly subside, but the major equities indexes were heading for a fall for the week.

How stocks are trading

All three major U.S. stock indexes were on track to finish the week deeply in the red. For the year, the S&P 500 was down more than 16%, the Dow down off 7% and the Nasdaq Composite 29% lower.

What’s driving markets

Equities…