WASHINGTON — The September consumer price index data were a little tamer than expected, with only a few bothersome details.
September CPI posted a 0.1% increase, with core also at a 0.1% rise (0.1393% unrounded). These produced a 1.7% gain overall and a 1.7% rise in core rates over the year, a pace that also will be used to index government payments.
The readings are a little better than expected, though really CPI simply is rebounding from weaker readings in August and still being held low by falling energy costs.
Food posted a 0.3% increase as meats and eggs rose. Fresh fruits were up 1.3%. Food is up at a 3.0% pace over the year, about twice the rate of general inflation.
Energy posted a 0.7% decline, as gasoline was down 1.0% and electric fell 0.7%. Fuel oil was 2.1% lower and, in the only sign of advance, natural gas posted a 1.6% increase in a correction after declining for four months in a row.
In core, airfares slid 0.5% and used cars dipped 0.1%, which held down the total, with new cars, apparel, recreation unchanged. Nonprescription drugs at a 1.5% increase and hospitals up 0.3% were outliers.
Owners equivalent rents at a 0.2% gain, was also was worrisome.
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