Inflation held steady in July and ran slightly cooler than expected, increasing the odds of a Federal Reserve rate cut next month.

A jump in wholesale prices is likely to bolster concerns among Federal Reserve policymakers that rising inflation remains a risk, intensifying debate over the wisdom of a rate cut at their September meeting and leaving the tension between the U.

With the job market faltering and consumer prices not surging as expected, investors increasingly believe the Federal Reserve is about to cut interest rates to boost the economy.