U.S. stocks ended higher as softer June inflation data and strong bank earnings lifted sentiment despite escalating Middle East tensions. Nasdaq outperformed on chip gains, while JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs advanced on robust results. IBM fell on weak revenue guidance, and markets scaled back expectations of a near-term Federal Reserve rate hike.

Stocks rose after a report showed U.S. inflation was not as bad last month as economists expected

US markets opened mixed as softer inflation data boosted expectations of a less aggressive Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained, supported by rate cut hopes, while the…