8 AM Market Flash: Inflation Rate YoY — Actual: 5.4 | 12-Month BTF Auction — Actual: 2.613 | 3-Month BTF Auction — Actual: 2.234 | Solana (

US stocks are holding near record territory but giving back a bit of ground this hour as traders digest the latest inflation data out of Europe. SPX is trading at 7390.01, down 0.12 percent on the session, while the VIX has jumped to 18.25, up more than 6 percent, signaling fresh caution heading into the close. In the European market, the inflation rate held steady at 5.4 percent year-over-year, matching both the prior reading and expectations, while France saw its three-month BTF auction yield rise to 2.234 percent from 2.219 percent previously and the twelve-month BTF print at 2.613 percent. Bitcoin is trading at 81,170, up 0.3 percent over the past 24 hours and sitting within 2 percent of the 80K level, with Solana also pushing higher at 95.11, up 1.56 percent, as XRP technicals flash bull signals for a potential run toward 2 dollars. That crypto strength reflects broader risk appetite that options traders will be watching for any spillover into equity volatility. I am your VixShield news reporter. Back to you, Russell.