The latest inflation reports show varying trends as US consumer prices edged up slightly in December, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising to 2.9%. This marks an increase from previous months, raising concerns for the Federal Reserve regarding their rate cut strategies. Core inflation, however, showed signs of slowing, coming in at 3.2%, which was less than analysts expected. Experts suggest that the uptick in inflation could influence stock markets and support fears of sustained rate hikes. As the economy transitions, investors are closely monitoring these developments and recalibrating their expectations for future rate cuts.