Inflation is proving stickier than expected, which could cause Fed to hit pause button on more interest rate cuts.

Consumer Price Index showed an acceleration to 2.9%, the highest rate since July. With such high inflation, the Fed is unlikely to cut rates in January.

Traders of interest-rate futures are now predicting nearly equal chances on Wednesday that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates twice by the end of this year, according to data compiled by Reuters.

Key Takeaways The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9% in December, accelerating from a 2.7% annual increase in November.Core inflation rose 3.2% over the year, down from 3.3% in November, providing optimism for the trajectory of the cost of living.

U.S. stock index futures extended gains on Wednesday as investors assessed a broadly in-line consumer inflation report to gauge its effect on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy easing this year. Data from the Labor Department showed the consumer price index rose 2.

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.4% in December, compared to the previous month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.

Inflation resumed a cooling trend after a months-long interruption, offering some relief for economic policymakers who are worried President-elect Trump's agenda might ignite price pressures. Officials at the Federal Reserve have projected fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than previously estimated on the back of stickier inflation.