US benchmark equity indexes ended mixed Wednesday after official data showed that consumer inflation accelerated in January.

* The US consumer price index increased 0.5% in January from 0.4% the month prior, while the annual measure accelerated to 3% from 2.9%. Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy components, accelerated to 0.4% sequentially and 3.3% annually last month, topping the Street's views.

* "The first CPI reading for 2025 showed core inflation rising at its fastest pace in nearly a year, amid a further uptick in goods prices and ongoing stickiness in services inflation," TD Economics said. Separately, BMO said the report is likely to make the Federal Reserve more cautious and patient regarding future interest rate cuts.

* Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the latest CPI report fit with an overall picture that policymakers are "close but not there" on getting inflation back to the 2% goal.

On Tuesday, Powell said the Fed does "not need to be in a hurry" to adjust monetary policy as the economy remained strong.

* March West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $1.99 to settle at $71.33 per barrel, while April Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $1.89 to $75.11 as U.S. oil inventories last week.

* CVS Health (CVS) posted better-than-expected Q4 results and projected higher 2025 earnings. The stock jumped 15%.

* Biogen (BIIB) guided for a decline in earnings and revenue in 2025 amid challenges in its multiple sclerosis product category. The stock fell 4.3%.