Consumer prices rise 2nd time in 7 months

6/19/2013

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer prices rose slightly in May as higher energy costs were partly offset by cheaper food. The small increase comes after two straight declines.

The consumer price index ticked up a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent last month, the second increase in seven months, the Labor Department said Tuesday. Consumer prices fell 0.4 percent in April, the largest decline in four years.

Slow economic growth and high unemployment have kept wages from rising quickly. That’s made it harder for retailers and other firms to raise prices.