WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. inflation accelerated at its fastest pace in 10 months in November as consumer prices surged on sharply higher energy costs.
The consumer price index jumped 0.8 percent last month, the U.S. Labor Department said Friday, up sharply from October's 0.3 percent rise and the biggest increase since September 2005.
The core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, advanced 0.3 percent, its biggest rise since January,
The data exceeded economists' forecasts of a 0.6 percent index jump and a 0.2 percent core gain.
The Wall Street Journal said the data could complicate the Federal Reserve's task of addressing downside economic growth risks at a time when officials remain worried about inflation.
In a separate report, the Labor Department said the average weekly earnings of U.S. workers, adjusted for inflation, fell 0.4 percent in November. Average hourly earnings increased 0.5 percent.
