Inflation is proving stickier than expected, which could cause Fed to hit pause button on more interest rate cuts.

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 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,

U.S. stock index futures extended gains on Wednesday as investors assessed a broadly in-line consumer inflation report to gauge its effect on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy easing this year. Data from the Labor Department showed the consumer price index rose 2.

Disinflation in key areas of consumer prices should help the Federal Reserve stick to its policy path of gradual cuts to interest rates.