The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that stock indexes closed slightly lower on Wednesday after a U.S. inflation reading came in hotter than expected, while many investors stuck to the sidelines ahead of AI bellwether Nvidia's earnings later in the day. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says a U.S. Commerce Department report showed annual inflation increased 3.7 per cent in the 12 months through July, a touch above expectations. Separate data showed the U.S. economy grew 1.5 per cent in the second quarter. The latest print added another wrinkle to the Federal Reserve's policy outlook, raising the stakes for coming economic data. Investors will focus sharply on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech on Friday. The central bank's next scheduled meeting is in September, putting the policy decision in focus during what is historically a weak month for equities. Odds of an interest-rate hike at that meeting stand at 38.1 per cent. The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended down 143.98 points at 36,813.65, after posting a record closing high on Tuesday. A Reuters poll suggests that the Toronto Stock Exchange will ease through the rest of 2026 as investors weigh escalating trade tensions and lofty bank valuations.