gasoline, fruits and vegetables, the U.S. Labor Department reported Wednesday.
The January rise in the consumer price index followed a decline of 0.1 per cent in
December. Wednesday's index was in line with analysts' expectations.
Gasoline prices rose 2.7 per cent in January, the biggest one-month increase
since September. Natural gas prices were also 1.2 per cent higher, helping to
send the overall energy price index up by a hefty 0.9 per cent.
Vegetables were 4.1 per cent more expensive, their largest price increase in nearly
a year, while fruit prices rose three per cent, the biggest hike since July 2000.
Prices for clothing fell 0.7 per cent as the retail sector continued to offer deep
discounts in an effort to encourage shoppers.
New car prices fell 0.6 per cent -- the largest drop in 15 years -- as dealers tried to
get recession-wary consumers to spend on the big-ticket items.
