The consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.9 percent year-over-year in December, the largest annual increase since July. When stripping out the more volatile food and energy sectors, core inflation slowed to 3.2 percent, from 3.3 percent.

U.S. inflation accelerated last month as prices for gas, eggs, and used cars rose, yet underlying price pressures also showed signs of easing, bolstering hopes that the Federal Reserve could still cut its key interest rate this year.

WASHINGTON—U.S. inflation picked up last month as gas prices rose sharply, though price gains for other items were more muted.The consumer price index rose 0.4% in December from November and finished the year up 2.