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.

The latest consumer price index report shows inflation rose 2.9% year-over-year in December, marking three months of consecutive increases. Experts are warning of delays in interest rate cuts and possibly even rate hikes.

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.

Bitcoin rose modestly early Wednesday after investors reacted to the latest U.S. inflation reading. The world’s largest cryptocurrency was up 2.7% over the past 24 hours to $98,863, according to CoinDesk data.

The closely scrutinized monthly consumer-price index is due at 8:30 a.m. ET. Here are some key points to know ahead of the report: Economists expect annual inflation to come in at 2.9% as of December,

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.

The Consumer Price Index ticked up by 0.4% in December, but a measure that excludes food and energy prices slowed for the first time in four months, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. Why it matters: Inflation resumed a cooling trend after a months-long interruption,

Progress on inflation should stall this year” as fiscal, immigration and trade policies shift, caution Bank of America economists.

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,