the cnn money fear and greed index showed us stock markets entering the extreme fear zone on thursday following the release of wednesday’s inflation data the us released consumer price data on wednesday which showed the annual inflation rate in the country increasing to 91 in june the highest level since november 1981 and also above market expectations of 88 investors now await the release of producer price data from the us today with producer prices likely to rise 08 on the month in june to match the previous month’s rise us markets closed lower again on wednesday with the dow jones index falling more than 200 points as continued acceleration in inflation now expected to force the us federal reserve to hike interest rates by 75 basis points or more this month markets also await earnings reports from big banks with citigroup inc c and wells fargo  co wfc set to release earnings tomorrow at a current reading of 240 the index is down from 260 on wednesday amid continued increase in fear among investors which is expected to exert more pressure on wall street