US consumer prices jump 0.4%, led by energy
US consumer prices climbed 0.4 percent in November, led by a spike in energy costs, government data showed Wednesday.
The consumer price index (CPI) was pulled higher by a 4.1 percent rise in overall energy prices, according to Labor Department figures.
Excluding volatile food and energy prices, the "core" inflation index was flat for the month.
The headline index was in line with expectations, while analysts had been looking for a 0.1 percent rise in the core CPI.
Over the past 12 months, overall prices were up 1.8 percent and core prices up 1.7 percent.
November marked the first time since February the 12-month inflation data was positive, suggesting that the likelihood of a deflationary cycle is easing.
Copyright 2009  AFP Global Edition
