A sharp jump in gasoline prices drove a measure of U.S. consumer costs up in February but inflation remained tame after adjusting for higher pump prices.
The U.S. Department of Labor says the consumer price index rose 0.4% in February, the largest increase in 10 months. Gas prices rose six per cent to account for most of the gain.
Food prices were unchanged for the first time in 19 months. And excluding food and energy, so-called "core" prices rose just 0.1%.
In the past 12 months, consumer prices in the United States have risen 2.9%, the same year-over-year change as last month.
Core prices have increased 2.2% over the same period. That's lower than January's year-over-year figure. Mild inflation has allow the U.S. central bank to maintain its low interest-rate policy.
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