The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5%, while a measure that strips out energy and food rose 0.4%, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. Why it matters: It's a warning to the White House and the Fed about inflation's potential staying power across the economy.

The Labor Department released the consumer price index for January which showed that inflation remained elevated in as the Federal Reserve considers a continued pause on rate cuts.

Inflation picked up more than expected in January, returning to a 3% rate for the first time in seven months. The continued stalled progress on taming price growth will keep central bank officials from lowering interest rates and could even raise the specter of rate hikes.

US consumer inflation edged up to 3.0% in January from the previous year, surpassing economists' predictions and putting additional pressure on the Federal Reserve. Indicators suggest a possible pause in rate cuts,