The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.2 percent in July, after declining 0.1 percent in June. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.9 percent.
The core consumer price index — which excludes food and energy costs and is closely watched by economists— rose 0.2 percent in July, after rising 0.1 percent the preceding month. This in