U.S. consumer prices increased slightly more than expected in November as energy costs rose, pointing to an inflation trend that lines up with the Federal Reserve's view for a slower path of rate cuts this year.

The closely scrutinized monthly consumer-price index is due at 8:30 a.m. ET. Here are some key points to know ahead of the report: Economists expect annual inflation to come in at 2.9% as of December,

STOCKS: U.S. stock index futures jumped to extend gains and S&P 500 E-minis were last up 89 points, or 1.5%BONDS: The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropped and was last down 12.1 basis points to 4.667%, while the two-year yield was off 9.1 basis points to 4.274%FOREX: The dollar index weakened and was last 0.4% lower to 108.76

Key Takeaways The Consumer Price Index rose 2.9% in December, accelerating from a 2.7% annual increase in November.Core inflation rose 3.2% over the year, down from 3.3% in November, providing optimism for the trajectory of the cost of living.

The Consumer Price Index ticked up by 0.4% in December, but a measure that excludes food and energy prices slowed for the first time in four months, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. Why it matters: Inflation resumed a cooling trend after a months-long interruption,