CPI up 0.2%, core CPI up 0.2%

U.S. consumer prices increased more than expected in October, rising 0.2% on higher shelter, food and medical care prices, the Labor Department said Wednesday. Energy prices fell 0.2% as gasoline prices dropped 4.5%. Natural gas prices, however, rose 14%, the most in nearly five years. The core consumer price index, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, also rose 0.2%, breaking a string of five straight 0.1% readings. The 0.2% gain in the CPI was slightly more than the 0.l% expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch. The 0.2% gain in the core rate was as expected.