At midday Wednesday, the major benchmarks were broadly higher amid a softer consumer inflation print for April and lower bond yields. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in April, lower than the 0.4% consensus and matching the prior month's 0.3% increase. The year-over-year figure came in at 3.4%, in line with the consensus. Shelter inflation remained elevated in April, rising 5.5% on an annual basis, with higher interest rates making housing less affordable. Prices for gas and insurance also remained on the high side from the prior month, while consumers got some relief from falling prices for new and used cars as well as household furnishings. After three consecutive monthly consumer inflation readings above expectations, the April report is a reprieve, although the Federal Reserve has said it will be looking for a consistent trend toward the 2% annualized level before lowering interest rates. Elsewhere, the Department of Commerce reported that retail sales in April were flat with the prior month, below the 0.4% consensus and the