US stocks ended higher Friday after August consumer prices rose 0.4% monthly and 3.4% annually, with both measures accelerating slightly from July. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3%, exceeding the 0.2% forecast and pushing CME FedWatch odds of a 25-basis-point Federal Reserve increase at next week’s FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting to 87%, up from 72% a day earlier and 50% a week earlier. The S&P 500 gained 0.86%, the Nasdaq rose 0.96% and the Dow advanced 0.98%, or about 509 points, but each index still declined for the week. Treasury yields rose after an initial fall, with the 10-year yield finishing just below 5%. WTI crude retreated to about $100 a barrel after a volatile week, while Brent’s advance slowed. The next major catalyst for stocks is the Federal Reserve’s policy decision.