A sharp jump in gasoline prices drove a measure of U.S. consumer costs up in February but inflation remained tame after adjusting for higher pump prices.
The Labor Department says the consumer price index rose 0.4% in February, the largest increase in 10 months.
Gas prices rose six% to account 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%.
In the past 12 months, consumer prices in the United States have risen 2.9%, the same year-over-year change as last month.
Core prices have increased 2.2% over the same period. That’s lower than January’s year-over-year figure.
Mild inflation has allow the U.S. central bank to maintain its low interest-rate policy.