Major US stock indices fell noticeably, despite the strong market opening against the background of data on consumer prices in the US, which eased fears about inflation. The dynamics of trading was adversely affected by the announcement of the dismissal of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson from the post of Secretary of State.

The Ministry of Labor reported that consumer price growth in the US slowed in February on the back of a decline in gasoline prices and a moderate rental price, indicating that the expected inflation rate is likely to be gradual. The consumer price index in January rose by 0.2 percent after it rose 0.5 percent in January. In the 12 months to February, the index increased by 2.2 percent, compared with 2.1 percent in January, as weak figures for the previous year were out of the calculation. Without taking into account volatile food products and energy components, the consumer price index rose 0.2 percent after accelerating by 0.3 percent in January. In February, the growth of the so-called basic consumer price index was unchanged at 1.8 percent.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a decline (25 out of 30). Outsider were shares of General Electric Company (GE, -4.70%). The leader of growth was UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, + 1.58%).

All sectors of S & P completed the auction in the red. The largest decline was demonstrated by the technological sector (-1.5%).

At closing:

Dow -0.68% 25.007.03 -171.58

Nasdaq -1.02% 7,511.01 -77.31

S & P -0.64% 2.765.30 -17.72