The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday edition that U.S. consumer prices rose sharply in early 2020, dampening hopes for a further decline in inflation and potentially delaying any interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that the so-called core consumer price index increased 0.4 per cent from December, more than expected and the most in eight months. From a year ago, it advanced 3.9 per cent, the same as the prior month. Economists prefer using the core gauge to measure underlying inflation, as it provides a more accurate reading than the overall consumer price index. The core gauge increased by 0.3 per cent in December and by 3.1 per cent compared with the same period last year. The figures further reduce already-slim chances the Fed will start lowering interest rates soon, and any additional reacceleration might reignite talks that they will resume hikes. Some policy-makers have said they want to see a broader easing of price pressures before cutting rates. Charles Schwab analyst Kathy Jones now sees the Fed waiting until May or June to ease rates. She says, "With much of the increase due to housing, it's a waiting game to see when those costs will come down."