Wall Street futures are pointing to a good start for stocks today, and a report from the U.S. Labor Department that inflation is in check should boost investor confidence, too.

The growth of U.S. consumer prices slowed last month as prices of energy and housing dropped to more moderate levels. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in February, slowing from a 0.5% increase in January, says Labor. The closely watched core index, which excludes food and energy items, rose just 0.2%, the same as in January. In annual terms, the core rate edged up to 1.2%.

On Tuesday, North American markets finished higher as bargain-hunters jumped into the market, turning around sharp losses in five of the last six sessions. This was the result of reassurance from the U.S. Federal Reserve that it is in no rush to raise interest rates.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 81.78 points at 10,184.67. The Nasdaq added 3.89 points to 1,943.09 while the S&P 500 index was up 6.21 at 1,110.70. Toronto’s S&P/TSX composite index moved up 68.86 points to 8,503.27.

In Canadian business news, entertainment company Alliance Atlantis is revising its profit forecasts after posting $315 million in special charges. Bombardier Inc. is cutting 6,600 jobs and closing seven rail division plants in Europe. The Montreal-based company said it will cut 18.5% of the workforce at its Bombardier Transportation unit and close seven plants Europe over the next two years.

In Europe markets are up. In Frankfurt, the Xetra DAX Index is up 1.1% to 3,863.43. In Paris, the CAC40 Index has risen 0.6% to 3608.05. In London, the FTSE100 Share Index is up 0.2% to 3,846.08. However, Lloyds Bank TSB fell 4%, leading the banking sector lower.

In Asia markets took their lead from yesterday’s gains on Wall Street. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average surged 194.57 points, or 1.73%, to 11,436.86. The Hang Seng Index added 43.1 points, or 0.33%, to 12,975.72.