These are the defensive stocks that beat the S&P 500

Among the others were several tech names that investors loved during the early stages of the coronviruses epidemic, along with cruise lines, credit-card lenders and chip-related companies.

Below is a list of the best performers of the day among the S&P 500 Index SPX and the Nasdaq 100 Index NDX.

The S&P 500 was up 2.1% and is up 12% since its closing low in 2022 on June 22. The benchmark index is down 11.7% this year.

A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the Consumer Price Index was unchanged in July from June after rising 1.3% in June from May, and decelerated to an annual 8.5% in July from 9.1% the previous month.

Greg Robb provided further analysis of what the better-than-expected inflation report might mean for interest rates when the Federal Open Market Committee meets Sept. 20 -- 21, which will be followed by a decision on the fed funds rate and the Federal Reserve's investment policy.

All 11 sectors of the S&P 500 were up for the day:

The Nasdaq 100 includes the largest 100 non-financial stocks in the full Nasdaq Composite Index COMP. When added to the S&P 500, the group expands to 518 stocks, 92% of which posted gains on Aug. 10.

Here are the 20 best performers in this expanded large-cap group — many are still down by high double digits from their one-year highs:

Despite all the positive cheer among investors, economists at Pimco warned that core inflation might increase again in August, and BlackRock's chief investment officer for global fixed income agreed with Pimco economists that the Fed was still likely to increase the federal funds target range by another 0.75% in September.

One month of inflation data might not signal a trend because of the continuing increase in rents, according to Rex Nutting.

Here are 10 defensive stocks that can also provide you with growth and dividends over the long term.