Washington, DC, November 16, 2005--Consumer prices increased more than expected in October, rising 0.2% on higher shelter, food and medical care prices, according to a report from the Labor Department.
Energy prices fell 0.2% as gasoline prices dropped 4.5%. Natural gas prices, however, rose 14%, the most in nearly five years.
The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, also rose 0.2%, breaking a string of five straight 0.1% readings.
The 0.2% gain in the CPI was slightly more than the 0.l% expected by economists.The 0.2% gain in the core rate was as expected.
