There was virtually no consumer inflation in the United States in November, as significant declines in the cost of energy held prices down for the third straight month, the Labor Department reported Friday. Consumer prices were unchanged last month, which followed a 0.5 percent decline in both September and October, the department said. In all three months, the surprise lack of inflation came mostly from the declining cost of gasoline. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, was also unchanged in November, the report showed. The latest data shows the inflation-fighting measures of the Federal Reserve seem to be working, as nearly two years of interest rate increases appear to have eliminated the major threat of inflation without choking off economic growth. Inflation in 2006 looks to have been around 2.2 percent, significantly down from last year's 3.4 percent measure. In addition to declining energy costs, the report showed the cost of vegetables, fruit, dairy products, some meats, clothing, cars and airline travel also fell.
