US petrol prices keep consumer index in check

Underlying inflation pressures pushed higher in October, even as falling petrol prices kept overall US consumer prices in check.

The US Labor Department said yesterday its so-called core Consumer Price Index, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2%, the largest increase in five months, after nudging up 0.1% in September.

In the 12 months through October, the core CPI rose 1.8% after rising 1.7% in September, a sign that a recent disinflationary trend has probably run its course.