In corporate news, Blackstone (BX), EQT, and CVC Capital Partners are bidding to acquire a minority stake in DFL Deutsche Fussball Liga, which holds broadcasting rights for major German football leagues, Bloomberg reported Thursday. The Fed's preferred core inflation measure, which excludes food and energy, rose 3.5%, in line with the market's view, easing from 3.7% the month earlier. Bank of America's (BAC) BofA Securities unit has been fined $24 million for engaging in spoofing and related supervisory failures for more than six years, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority said Thursday.