Investing.com – U.S. stocks were hovering around the flatline Tuesday, as a wobble in tech weighed on the broader market, a day ahead of key inflation data.  

At 12:55 ET (17:55 GMT), the fell 20 points, or 0.1%, while the  index traded largely flat and the gained 0.2%. 

Oracle pressures tech sector, but Alphabet shines 

Oracle (NYSE:) tumbled over 8%, pressuring the broader tech sector after the cloud firm fiscal Q2 earnings missed lofty street estimates, amid increased competition in the sector. 

Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ:) was a bright spot in tech, climbing 4% after launching its Willow quantum chip. 

CPI data awaited for more rate cues 

The focus this week is squarely on US inflation data, due on Wednesday, which could influence the Federal Reserve at its monetary policy meeting later this month. 

is expected to increase slightly to 2.7% from 2.6% year-on-year, while , which excludes volatile food and energy items, is expected to remain at 3.3%.

While inflation had fallen steadily earlier in 2024, it turned more sticky in recent months amid resilience in the US economy, sparking some uncertainty over the outlook for interest rates.

Markets are still holding out for a by the Federal Reserve next week. But the longer-term outlook for rates has now turned more uncertain, with expectations of inflationary policies under incoming President Donald Trump adding to the mix. 

Elsewhere, Eli Lilly (NYSE:) stock was flat after the drugmaker announced a new $15 billion share buyback and hiked its dividend.

Alaska Air (NYSE:) stock rose 13% after the carrier raised its fourth-quarter profit forecast, owing to robust travel demand and improved pricing. The airline also provided full-year 2025 earnings guidance that topped Wall Street estimates. 

(Peter Nurse, Ambar Warrick contribued to this article.)