GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks edge lower as dollar, Treasury yields rise with rates in focus

MSCI'S global stock index was barely higher on Thursday while the Dow rallied to its highest level since February 2022 and bond yields and the dollar rose after Federal Reserve officials took cautious tones about interest rate cuts. The Commerce Department said consumer spending, which is more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, increased 0.2% last month in line with economists' expectations. The annual inflation increase was the smallest in more than 2-1/2 years signaling cooling demand.