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.

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin said fresh inflation data show the central bank continues to see progress on lowering inflation toward its 2% goal, but that interest rates should remain restrictive.

U.S. Consumer Price Index report, due out on Wednesday, is expected to reveal a nudge upward in the headline inflation rate, while the core remained steadfast. With recent remarks from Federal Reserve officials signaling a more cautious and gradual approach to interest-rate cuts on the back of resilient economic data,

The consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.9 percent year-over-year in December, the largest annual increase since July. When stripping out the more volatile food and energy sectors, core inflation slowed to 3.2 percent, from 3.3 percent.

U.S. producer prices rose less than expected in December as higher costs for goods were partially offset by stable services prices, suggesting inflation remained on a downward trend after progress had stalled in recent months.