US inflation ticks up again — dimming prospects for significant Fed cuts this year
1. US CPI rose 0.4% in December, above economist forecasts. 2. Core CPI improved slightly to 3.2%, helping bolster market sentiment. 3. Energy costs drove overall CPI increases, with gasoline surging 4.4%. 4. Fewer expected rate cuts support the Fed's inflation outlook. 5. Tax cuts promised by Trump administration may stimulate economic growth.