U.S. consumer prices held steady in June, as falling energy prices were offset by small gains in the price of food and other items, while retail sales got a boost amid brisk demand for cars and clothing.

The U.S. Labor Department said its consumer-price index was unchanged last month, while the “core index,” which excludes food and energy, rose 0.1%.

Though crude-oil prices climbed to record highs in June, the Labor Department said prices paid for energy declined for the second month in a row, by 0.5%. Gasoline prices dropped 1.2% and prices of natural gas dropped 3.5%. Food prices rose 0.1%.

Separately, the Labor Department also reported Thursday that initial jobless claims rose by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted level of 336,000 in the week that ended July 9. The four-week average climbed slightly to 320,750.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department said retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 1.7% after sliding a revised 0.3% in May. Aggressive discounting by auto makers helped to draw buyers to car dealerships.

Auto and parts sales climbed 4.8% in June, the biggest increase since a 5.8% advance in May 2004.