WASHINGTON — The underlying rate of US inflation accelerated by the fastest pace in four months in January, the US Labor Department said Friday.

The consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.2 percent, driven by the first increase in gasoline prices since September. Food prices rose 0.2 percent for the second straight month.

The core CPI index, excluding food and energy costs, was up 0.2 percent in January.

Economists were expecting the CPI to rise 0.3 percent in January after remaining flat in the prior month.

The core rate was expected to rise 0.2 percent after rising 0.1 percent in the previous month.

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