Key Points:
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February from January and is up 6.0% in the last year.
- The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.5% in February and is up 5.5% from the previous year.
- The overall food index rose 9.5%, food at home rose 10.2%, and food away from home rose 8.4% over the past 12 months.
- The largest increase in food was for cereals and bakery products, which increased 14.6% and dairy which increased 12.3%.
- The index for food away from home rose 8.4%, full service meals rose 8.0%, and limited service meals rose 7.2% over the last 12 months.
- The energy index rose 5.2% over the past 12 months.
- Fuel oil increased 9.2%, electricity increased 12.9%, and natural gas rose 14.3% over the last 12 months.
- The index for all items less food and energy rose 5.5% over the past 12 months.
- The index for airline fare rose 26.5%, motor vehicle insurance rose 14.5%, rent increased by 8.8%, and shelter increased 8.1%.
- The Right Facts will continue to monitor inflation.