Consumer prices rose 0.2% according to the CPI index.
–
Consumer prices in the United States rose 0.2% in November, a pace still weak but slightly above the 0.1% that was expected, according to the CPI index released Thursday by the Labor Department.
Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core inflation also rose by 0.2%.
Food prices fell in November as small increases in restaurant and takeout food prices were offset by lower food prices.
Energy prices, for their part, rose, driven by higher prices for natural gas and electricity, while fuel continued to decline.
In detail, the prices of tourist accommodation, furniture, leisure activities, clothing, airline tickets and car insurance have increased.
Conversely, the prices of new and used cars and medical care fell.
Over 12 months, the increase in all prices remains 1.2%, well below the 2% target of the US Central Bank (Fed), which recently eased its policy on inflation.
To better help the country cope with the crisis caused by COVID-19, it will be able to tolerate, for a certain time, inflation above 2%, a threshold that traditionally encourages it to increase its rates.
Core inflation is 1.6% over 12 months.
–
