Consumers Prices Post Best Reading In 6 Months As Energy Prices Temporarily Fall

WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) — Consumer inflation, which had been pushing relentlessly higher, posted its mildest reading in six months in February as the costs of energy and food moderated.

The relief was expected to be short-lived, however, given that energy prices have resumed their upward climb.

The Labor Department reported Friday that consumer prices were unchanged last month, a much better showing than the three-tenths of one percent increase that had been expected. Core inflation, which excludes energy and food, was also well-behaved, with an unchanged reading in February.