The annual inflation rate in the US was steady at 1.4% in January of 2021, the same as in December and slightly below market forecasts of 1.5%. Main upward pressure came from food prices (3.8%), used cars and trucks (10%), utility gas service (4.3%), medical care services (2.9%), shelter (1.6%), electricity (1.5%) and new vehicles (1.4%). Meanwhile, apparel prices fell 2.5% and energy cost went down 3.6% mainly due to gasoline (-8.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.3%, in line with forecasts and following a downwardly revised 0.2% rise in December driven by a 7.4% rise in gasoline cost. The indexes for electricity and natural gas declined, but the energy index rose 3.5%. The food prices rose slightly by 0.1% as an advance in the index for food away from home more than offset a decline in the index for food at home. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics