The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.4 percent in February for an annual increase of 6 percent, right in line with what economists had been expecting, according to data released Tuesday by the Labor Department.

The 6 percent annual inflation rate was the lowest yearly price increase since September 2021.

Without food and energy prices, which are more volatile, the CPI rose 0.5 percent in February and 5.5 percent over the past 12 months.

Developing