The consumer price index increased by 2.9 percent in December from a year earlier, the Labor Department reported Wednesday, in line with economists’ expectations and hotter than a 2.7 percent rise in November. It was also above a 2.6 percent annual increase in October.

US consumer inflation rose for a third straight month in December as energy prices rose, according to government data published Wednesday, adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to pause rate cuts.

The Labor Department's inflation report for the month of December showed that food and energy prices were the primary drivers of stubborn inflation experienced by consumers.

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core inflation declined to 3.2%, after remaining stuck at 3.3% for three months in a row.

U.S. inflation picked up last month as gas prices rose sharply, though price gains for other goods were more muted.

The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, but a measure of underlying inflation was more encouraging.