"Surprise Drop: US Wholesale Prices Fall in December, Signaling Positive Inflation Trend"

Wholesale inflation in the US eased more than expected in December, with the producer price index falling 0.1% from the previous month and up 1% annually, lower than predicted. Core prices, excluding food and energy, were also unchanged for the month and up 1.8% annually. The data comes after a report of a 0.3% rise in the consumer price index in December, above expectations. These reports will impact the Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rates, with investors expecting a quarter-point reduction as early as March.