US markets edgy as inflation evidence grows

Wall Street remained mired in uncertainty today, ending an erratic session narrowly mixed as investors’ inflation worries worsened in the face of a sharp jump in import prices.

Investors found some encouragement after the Energy Department reported an increase in US refining capacity, which had been severely disrupted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The US crude oil reserves also rose, sending oil prices lower. A barrel of light crude was quoted at 63.08 dollars, down 1.04 dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange.