NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL: HOT CPI COULD TRIGGER FED HIKE Northwestern Mutual’s Matt Stucky says hotter-than-expected inflation could increase the chances of a Fed rate hike this month. Markets currently see roughly a 50-50 chance of a hike. Friday’s core CPI is expected to rise 0.2% month-over-month. A stronger reading, combined with the resilient U.S. labor market, could push the Fed toward tightening as policymakers focus on persistent inflation.(*Walter Bloomberg)