Inflation data appear to have cemented the market’s view of a quarter-point rate cut next week, but beyond that they have provided little clarity. Traders now see a 99% chance of a cut on Dec.18, up from 71% a week ago,

Inflation is moving in the wrong direction. U.S. inflation picked up for a second straight month in November on a rise in food and gasoline prices, underscoring that the final stretch of the Federal Reserve's two-year battle against sharply rising prices has become more challenging.