Smallest increase in core inflation since December expected; retail sales seen moderating After a quiet week for U.S. economic indicators, this week will ramp up with Wednesday's release of the key April consumer price index. For economists, attention is centered on the Federal Reserve and whether there are potential paths to interest-rate cuts before next winter. The trend toward lower inflation was interrupted in the first quarter. That has raised fears of higher inflation and less easing from the Fed, said Sam Bullard, senior economist at Wells Fargo corporate and investment banking. In light of the ugly data, Fed ... (full story)