Inflation Cools But Not Enough for Imminent Fed Rate Cut
- Inflation cooled in December but not quickly enough for a Fed rate cut in March; traders betting on May for first cut
- Core inflation running below 2% on 3-month and 6-month basis
- Futures show 48% chance of March cut, 90% chance by May
- Fed likely needs more data to be confident in easing policy
- Economy remains strong, complicating case for rate cuts