QQQ outperforms SPY as softer core CPI meets Iran and AI-chip headlines

QQQ opened 0.13% lower and finished down 0.15%. SPY opened down 0.11% and ended 0.22% lower, leaving QQQ ahead by 0.07 percentage points. December core CPI rose 2.6% year over year versus a 2.7% estimate and 0.2% month over month versus 0.3%, while headline CPI matched estimates. Trump canceled meetings with Iranian officials and urged protests to continue. Meta launched Meta Compute to expand AI data-center and energy investment, and Microsoft pledged that data-center power costs would not be passed to local residents. The United States eased rules for Nvidia H200 exports to China, but Reuters later reported that Chinese customs agents had been told the chips were not permitted.