Summary Box: Consumer prices rose modestly

CONSUMER PRICES RISE: Consumer prices rose modestly in January on higher costs for food, gas, rent and clothing.

THE NUMBERS: The consumer price index increased just 0.2 percent last month, the Labor Department said. The gain was the same for core inflation, which excludes volatile food and gas costs.

INFLATION BENIGN: Most economists say inflation should ease in the coming months as prices for raw materials level off. They add that most companies are hesitant to raise prices dramatically when unemployment remains high and the economy is growing at a slow pace.