Stocks Fall as Strong Economic Data Tempers Rate Cut Hopes
• Stocks declined Wednesday amid mixed earnings and uncertainty over monetary policy outlook
• Retail sales rose more than expected, signaling robust consumer spending and economic growth
• Fresh data casts doubt on expectations of a Fed rate cut in March
• Markets now pricing 53% chance of a March cut, down from over 70% last week
• Investors may need to reassess rate outlook if data continues showing solid economic growth