Awwal 14, 1432 H/Feb 17, 2011, SPA -- The cost of living increased 0.4 per cent for the second straight month in the United States, with more than two thirds of the gains in January coming from food and energy prices, government figures showed Thursday, according to dpa. A separate gauge of the US economy's performance rose for the seventh straight month. The New York-based Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators inched up just 0.1 per cent in February after a 0.8-per-cent jump the previous month. The inflation gains over December and January compare to more modest monthly increases over nearly two years and another sign that the US may be emerging from an economic slump. The last month before December that posted a 0.4-per-cent gain was June 2009. Excluding more volatile food and energy prices, so-called core inflation stood at 0.2 per cent in January, the US Labour Department said. Over the last 12 months, consumer prices have climbed 1.6 per cent. The core rate in the past year has risen 1 per cent. -- SPA
