Mumbai, Nov. 11 -- The dollar index is holding firm on Wednesday morning in Asia after stronger-than-expected US inflation data strengthened expectations of a rate hike in December. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) grew at a faster pace of 0.4% Month-on-Month (MoM) against 0.3% estimates. In the same period, the core CPI - which excludes volatile food and energy items - arrived at 0.3%, higher than expectations of 0.2%. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said that a half-point Fed rate hike may be needed in December, if October core CPI inflation comes in around 0.3% or higher. The dollar index that measures the greenback against a basket of currencies is quoting at 102.31, up 0.18% o...