The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell for the first time in four trading sessions on the 26th, closing down 113.52 points, or 0.21%, at 53,463.88 on the New York Stock Exchange. July's U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3.7% from a year earlier, slightly above the consensus estimate compiled by Dow Jones Newswires, while the monthly reading increased 0.2% after declining 0.1% in June. The stronger-than-expected inflation data pushed U.S. long-term interest rates higher and revived concerns that the Federal Reserve (FRB) could extend monetary tightening, prompting profit-taking in rate-sensitive stocks. The Nasdaq Composite fell 21.10 points to 26,130.20. Investors also remained cautious before Nvidia's earnings, viewing the results as an important test of the durability of artificial-intelligence investment. Nike and Merck declined, while Caterpillar supported the Dow. Market observers said semiconductor stocks could help determine the market's direction.