Food Index Sees Moderate Growth
The food index increased by 0.3% in December, continuing its upward trend. Prices for food at home mirrored this rise, with cereals and bakery products up 1.2% and meats, poultry, fish, and eggs climbing 0.6%. Egg prices alone surged 3.2%. Over the past year, food prices rose 2.5%, led by meats, poultry, fish, and eggs at 4.2%. Limited-service meals outpaced other categories, posting a 3.7% year-over-year increase, underscoring sustained demand.
Core Inflation Trends Show Easing Pressures
Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.2% in December, its smallest gain in five months. Shelter costs climbed 0.3%, with rents and owners’ equivalent rent contributing to the increase. Airline fares jumped 3.9%, while used car prices rose 1.2%. Annually, shelter costs rose 4.6%, the smallest 12-month increase since January 2022. However, motor…
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