The Labor Department released the inflation report for December which showed prices were up 2.9% from a year ago, in line with economists expectations and up from 2.7% in November.

The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, but a measure of underlying inflation was more encouraging.

U.S. inflation accelerated last month as prices for gas, eggs, and used cars rose, yet underlying price pressures also showed signs of easing, bolstering hopes that the Federal Reserve could still cut its key interest rate this year.

Annual inflation ticked up for a third straight month in December as food, energy costs rose, CPI report showed. But underlying price measure eased.

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

Israel's inflation eased more than expected in December to end 2024 at a rate of 3.2% versus 3.0% in 2023, according to data on Wednesday from the Central Bureau of Statistics that could entice policymakers to start reducing interest rates soon.

Inflation probably picked up in late 2024, fueled by robust household spending amid a strong economy. A key gauge of inflation — the consumer price index — is expected to show Wednesday morning that prices rose by 2.9 percent in December from a year earlier, according to economists’ forecasts of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

US consumer inflation rose for a third straight month in December as energy prices rose, according to government data published Wednesday, adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to pause rate cuts.

WASHINGTON—U.S. inflation picked up last month as gas prices rose sharply, though price gains for other goods were more muted. The consumer price index rose 0.4% in December from November and finished the year up 2.