US: CPI below expectation
By Investing Contrarian
Published: February 19, 2010
The consumer price index in December eased to a 0.1 percent inflation rate from 0.4 percent in November. Core CPI inflation also was soft at -0.1 percent Weakness in the CPI was largely in the housing component and especially the shelter subcomponent which was flat and reflected the weak housing market and high vacancy rates in apartments. Food and energy components were up in the latest month but at a relatively moderate pace for both. Energy rose only 0.2 percent after a 4.1 percent surge in November. Food inflation firmed to 0.2 percent from a 0.1 percent rise in November.
