The Consumer Price Index increased 0.3% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index rose 2.1%.
Prices for all items less food and energy, the “core CPI,” increased 0.2% in December, the same increase as November. The index rose 2.2% for the 12 months ending in December.
The food index was unchanged for the sixth consecutive month, as prices for food at home fell 0.2%, while prices for food away from home increased 0.2%. Over the past 12 months, food prices have fallen 0.2%.
The energy index increased 1.5% in December, after a 1.2% November gain. The gasoline index posted a strong gain, rising 3.0% following a 2.5% November increase.
Read the BLS release.