CPI: Headline Up 0.2 Percent; Core Prices Fall 0.1 Percent

In January, the Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent. The rise was almost entirely driven by increases in energy prices, which rose 2.8 percent over the month. The core CPI, which excludes prices of food and energy, fell 0.1 percent. The decline was primarily due to a drop in rent prices and airline tickets. This was the first decline in the core index since 1982. From a year prior, the CPI was 2.7 percent higher. This was down from a 2.8 percent rise in December, however up from negative year-over-year changes as recently as October. The core CPI was up by a lesser 1.5 percent from a year prior.

Month/ Month % Ch.	Jan	Dec	Nov	Oct	Sep	Aug
CPI	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.4
Core CPI	-0.1	0.1	0	0.2	0.2	0.1
Year/ Year % Ch.
CPI	2.7	2.8	1.8	-0.2	-1.3	-1.5
Core CPI	1.5	1.8	1.7	1.7	1.5	1.4

10.02.19 (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)