EmailStory Stocks®
Archive
Last Update: 17-Feb-12 09:48 ET
Core CPI Modestly Accelerates
Consumer prices increased 0.2% in January after being flat in December. That was the strongest increase in the CPI since a 0.3% gain in September 2011. The Briefing.com consensus expected the CPI to increase 0.3%.
Energy prices, which unexpectedly declined in the January PPI, rose a modest 0.2%. That was the first increase in energy prices since September. Stronger gasoline prices -- up 0.9% in January -- more than offset a 2.9% decline in utility (piped) gas service.
Food prices increased 0.2% in January, the same rate as December.
Excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 0.2% in January, up from 0.1% growth in December. The consensus expected core prices to increase 0.1%.
Over the last 12 months, core CPI increased 2.3%, which is the largest yearly increase since September 2008.
Apparel prices jumped 0.9% in the strongest increase since August 2011. That move accounted for nearly a quarter of the increase in January monthly core prices.
Shelter costs increased 0.2% in January. Year-over-year, shelter prices have increased 2.0%. That is the largest yearly increase since November 2008.
Energy prices, which unexpectedly declined in the January PPI, rose a modest 0.2%. That was the first increase in energy prices since September. Stronger gasoline prices -- up 0.9% in January -- more than offset a 2.9% decline in utility (piped) gas service.
Food prices increased 0.2% in January, the same rate as December.
Excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 0.2% in January, up from 0.1% growth in December. The consensus expected core prices to increase 0.1%.
Over the last 12 months, core CPI increased 2.3%, which is the largest yearly increase since September 2008.
Apparel prices jumped 0.9% in the strongest increase since August 2011. That move accounted for nearly a quarter of the increase in January monthly core prices.
Shelter costs increased 0.2% in January. Year-over-year, shelter prices have increased 2.0%. That is the largest yearly increase since November 2008.
