Consumer Price Index showed an acceleration to 2.9%, the highest rate since July. With such high inflation, the Fed is unlikely to cut rates in January.

Annual inflation ticked up for a third straight month in December as food, energy costs rose, CPI report showed. But underlying price measure eased.

Federal Reserve policymakers may be able to reduce interest rates a couple of times this year, traders bet on Wednesday, after a government report helped allay fears that inflation was accelerating in the final full month of Joe Biden's presidency.

U.S. stocks are ripping higher Wednesday after getting a shot of adrenaline from an encouraging update on U.S. inflation. Strong profit reports from Wells Fargo and other big U.S. banks are also helping to launch indexes toward their best day in two months.

The Indian rupee is likely to open marginally higher on Wednesday as the dollar retreats in the lead up to U.S. inflation data that will give cues on the direction of U.S. interest rates. The 1-month non-deliverable forward indicated that the rupee will open at 86.