Consumer Price Index Up 1.2%

Washington, DC, October 14, 2005–The consumer price index for September rose a bigger-than-expected 1.2%, according to a Labor Department report. It was the fastest pace in consumer inflation more than 25 years.

A record 12% hike in energy prices fueled the historic jump in consumer price index, but core inflation — which excludes food and energy — increased just 0.1%.

Consumer inflation has now risen 4.7% in the past 12 months, the highest since 1991.

Core inflation is up 2% in the past year, down from 2.1% in August.