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WASHINGTON — A jump in gas prices pushed a measure of U.S. consumer costs up in February. But outside of higher pump prices, inflation remained mild.
The Labor Department said Friday the consumer price index rose 0.4 percent in February, the largest increase in 10 months. Gas prices rose 6 percent, accounting 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 percent.
Most economists expect inflation to remain in check this year. The prices of agricultural commodities such as corn and cotton have come down. And while more Americans are working, few are getting big pay raises. That has limited retailers’ ability to charge more.
