But a closely watched gauge called core inflation — which excludes the volatile categories of food and energy — surged 0.3 per cent, the most in 11 months. The 0.3 per cent seasonally adjusted jump in core inflation was the biggest since an identical increase in January 2017. Over the past six months, core inflation has recorded more benign monthly readings of 0.1 per cent or 0.2 per cent. Over the past 12 months, overall inflation has risen 2.1 per cent, while core inflation is up just 1.8 per cent. For December, energy prices fell 1.2 per cent after surging 3.9 per cent in November.

Source: National Post January 12, 2018 13:37 UTC