The consumer price index posted a unexpectedly small rise of 0.2 percent in July from the previous year as new index components, including flat-screen televisions, pushed it down and forced past readings to be downgraded, the government said Friday.
At the same time, the core nationwide CPI, excluding perishables, rose for a second consecutive month, bolstering distant views that the economy is emerging from deflation, albeit weakly.
But another change -- the replacement of the base year for the CPI index -- forced past readings to be revised downward, casting doubt on the government's preparations to declare deflation finally dead.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.