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

U.S. consumer prices increased slightly more than expected in November as energy costs rose, pointing to an inflation trend that lines up with the Federal Reserve's view for a slower path of rate cuts this year.

The Consumer Price Index 0.4% M/M in December, matching the consensus and slightly accelerating from the 0.3% increase in the previous month, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Wednesday.