While the Federal Reserve is expected to cut its key interest rate next week, stubborn inflation could pressure the central bank to keep rate cuts few and far between next year.

A FED economic report, expected to be released on December 12, could highlight stalled progress in curbing inflation in the United States. Economists are uncertain whether the data will dissuade the Federal Reserve from implementing a widely expected interest rate cut during its policy meeting next week.

Consumer inflation accelerated in November to 2.7% from 2.6% and core CPI was sticky at 3.3%. But a December Fed rate cut still looks like a sure thing.