The U.S. expanded steadily in November, but hiring was subdued and inflation was still a nagging problem in some parts of the economy, a new Federal Reserve survey found.

Markets are still pricing in another cut in interest rates of 25 basis points when the Fed meets in two weeks. Unless things change or economic data – such as Friday’s monthly jobs report for November – defies expectations, the Fed’s slow but steady shift downward on interest rates is likely to continue.

With car prices and loan rates high, buyers hope Fed rate cuts will lower car loan payments, easing financial strain.

With investors looking toward Friday’s November nonfarm-payrolls report, market participants see the potential that it could be overshadowed by an entirely different set of data: next Wednesday’s consumer-price index for the same month.