Consumer prices fall on lower energy prices
Housing starts and permits also decline in December, adding to weak data that have raised concerns over the health of the economy
Add BT as a preferred sourceWashington
US CONSUMER prices unexpectedly fell in December as the cost of energy goods dropped and services rose moderately, a trend that if sustained suggests inflation could be slow to rise towards the Federal Reserve's target. And a drop in housing starts and permits also does not augur well for the economy.
The Labor Department said on Wednesday its Consumer Price Index (CPI) slipped 0.1 per cent after being unchanged in November. Despite the drop last month, the CPI increased 0.7 per cent in the 12 months through December, the biggest increase in a year.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
