consumer prices : NPR

Gasoline Pushed Consumer Prices Up Sharply In February

Handles on a gas pump in Brooklyn. Jonathan Fickies /Landov hide caption

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Jonathan Fickies /Landov

The Two-Way

Gasoline Pushed Consumer Prices Up Sharply In February

March 15, 2013 • Prices rose overall by 0.7 percent. The major factor: a 9.1 percent surge in gasoline. Since February, though, gas prices have retreated. So economists do not think the latest report changes the inflation picture.

Inflation Rate Slowed Sharply In 2012; Prices Were Flat In December

The cost of a gallon of gas kept rising last year, but not at the torrid pace of 2010 and 2011. That helped keep inflation in check. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Inflation Rate Slowed Sharply In 2012; Prices Were Flat In December

January 16, 2013 • Consumer prices rose just 1.7 percent in 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. That's about half the pace of 2011 — when prices went up 3 percent. A sharp slowing in the increase of gas prices was a major factor. The news means interest rates will likely stay low.

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Consumer Prices Rose Slightly In August; So Did Retail Sales

September 14, 2012 • The government reports consumer prices and retail sales increased during August, mostly due to more expensive gas prices.

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Inflation Stayed In Check Last Month: No Change In July

August 15, 2012 • A sluggish economy has kept prices from rising. But a recent uptick in the price of gasoline and the effects of this summer's drought on food costs could put some upward pressure on inflation in coming months.

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Consumer Prices, Consumer Spending Both Flat In April

May 15, 2012 • Dropping gas prices helped hold inflation down. Meanwhile, April consumer spending may have been slowed because warm weather in March encouraged folks to get out their wallets then.

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Tame Inflation Report Gives Federal Reserve Reason To Stay Easy

April 13, 2012 • The news that consumer prices rose a relatively modest 0.3 percent in March from February supports "the view the U.S. Federal Reserve has room to provide more support for the economy if needed," Reuters concludes.

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Consumer Prices Rose 0.4 Percent Last Month; Factory Output Up 0.3 Percent

March 16, 2012 • A spike in gasoline prices fueled the increase. The so-called core rate of inflation remained in check.

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Jobless Claims Drop, Inflation At 3 Percent, Housing Starts Cool

January 19, 2012 • First-time claims for unemployment insurance plunged by 50,000 last week from the week before, to 352,000. They're now near a four-year low.

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Consumer Prices Ticked Down In October

November 16, 2011 • Falling energy costs kept inflation in check. But oil prices are up today, a sign that coming inflation reports might not be as welcome.

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Gasoline Pushed Inflation Rate Higher In April

May 13, 2011 • Higher prices for gasoline accounted for almost half of the 0.4 percent increase last month.