The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, ticked up 0.1 percent from in November, maintaining its historic year-over-year pace. Over the last 12 months, the index has increased 7.1 percent, the fastest rise in the index since the early 1980s.
Energy prices easily continue to lead the index, rising 13.1 percent year-over-year. Fuel oil alone rose 65.7 percent year-over-year, with gasoline up 10.1 percent, and piped gas service up 15.5 percent.
The food index rose 0.5 percent, with food at home also rising 0.5 percent, while the index for all items less food and energy still rose 0.2 percent in November.
Prices for a number of other items were sharply up year-over-year, including eggs up 49.1 percent, margarine up 47.4 percent, plane tickets up 36 percent, public transportation up 23.8 percent, flour up 24.9 percent, lettuce up 19.8 percent, motor oil up 19.6 percent, ice cream up 17.5 percent, and bread up 15.7 percent.
These items all outpaced chicken, which was up 12 percent over the last year. That rise, which is down 2.5 percent from last month and 4.6 percent over the last two months, is about in line with oranges, tea, living room furniture, tools and hardware, tires, and stationery.
The Consumer Price Index can be found here.
