A jump in energy and food prices hit the US last month, as progress in stabilising prices remained elusive.
The Labour Department said on average, prices in December were up 2.9% compared with a year earlier and up from 2.7% in November.
According to the monthly report, energy prices accounted for more than 40% of the rise in inflation last month.
It also showed egg prices shot up more than 36% compared with 2023, as a bout of bird flu hit supply and led to shortages.
But prices for other items rose by less than expected over the month, calming market fears that the US central bank might have to act more aggressively to stabilise prices.