However, core CPI, which removes the more volatile food and energy categories, was up 3.2 percent year-on-year and 0.2 percent from the previous month. Before December, core CPI had risen 3.3 percent annually for four months in a row.
These numbers have sparked optimism that inflation may be ready to trend closer to the US Federal Reserve's 2 percent target. In turn, that could prompt the central bank to cut interest rates more quickly than expected.
"For the Fed, this is certainly not enough to prompt a January cut. But, if today’s print were accompanied by another soft CPI print next month plus a weakening in payrolls, then a March rate cut may even be back on the table" — Seema Shah, Principal Asset Management.
While gold has been thriving in today's environment of higher rates, it typically performs better when they are lower.
As gold rose, 10 year Treasury yields pulled back from the high levels seen at the end of last week.
Moving forward, market watchers will be keeping an eye on the Fed's next meeting, which is scheduled for January 28 to 29. And of course, US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration will take place on January 20.
Bullet briefing — INN to attend VRIC
This week's update is a little on the short side, but it's for a good cause — the Investing News Network is gearing up to head to the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC), which runs from January 19 to 20.
Editorial Director Charlotte McLeod is looking forward to interviewing Rick Rule, Adrian Day, Lobo Tiggre, Lynette Zang, Andy Schectman and many more popular experts. If you have any questions you'd like answered or topics you'd like to see discussed, head over to our YouTube channel and leave a comment.
The team will be posting VRIC video content as soon as possible, but for real-time updates give us a follow on X @INN_Resource — we'll be posting throughout the conference using the hashtag #INNatVRIC.
And if you're attending the show, definitely make sure to come visit us at booth M9. We hope to see you there!
Want more YouTube content? Check out our expert market commentary playlist, which features interviews with key figures in the resource space. If there's someone you'd like to see us interview, please send an email to cmcleod@investingnews.com.
And don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.