US inflation firms up in December, keeping Fed in wait-and-watch mode

U.S. consumer inflation edged up 0.3% in December, keeping year-on-year CPI at 2.7%, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain a wait-and-watch approach. While price pressures remain above target, the data suggests a gradual disinflationary trend, providing markets with reassurance without prompting an immediate shift in monetary policy.