U.S. consumer prices flat in November

U.S. consumer prices flat in November

 The overall price of consumer goods was unchanged in November as lower costs of gas offset increases in housing and airfare, the government said Tuesday. The consumer price index was flat last month on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Labor Department said. Energy prices fell 1.0% to mark the second sharp decline in a row. Food prices edged up 0.1%, however. The core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, advanced 0.2%. The rising cost of housing and pricier airline tickets led the way. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected both the main CPI and core rate to rise by 0.1%. Consumer prices have risen an unadjusted 1.2% over the past 12 months and by 1.7% on a core basis. Real or inflation-adjusted hourly wages, meanwhile, increased by 0.2% in November to $10.33. Real wages have risen a meager 0.9% over the past 12 months, down from 1.3% in October.

And wages going no where.