The consumer price index cooled unexpectedly in November. But economists said the data should be interpreted with some caution due to the government shutdown.

The consumer price index, an inflation gauge, rose 2.9% on an annual basis in December. That's up from 2.7% in November.

Inflation throttled back in March, largely on lower gasoline prices — but tariffs threaten to reverse that downward trend in coming months while trouble also lurks in certain categories like groceries ...

Consumers saw inflation pick up slightly in November as price increases in categories including groceries, gasoline and new cars outweighed a deceleration in others such as shelter during the month.

Progress in the fight to tame pandemic-era inflation appears to have stalled out in October, despite lower prices at the gasoline pump and a moderation in other consumer staples such as groceries.

The annual inflation rate increased slightly in May as an uptick in grocery inflation somewhat offset lower prices at the gasoline pump. And while inflation was relatively tame, economists said they ...