Core inflation rose by the most in four years in January, by 0.3%.
"Core" inflation excludes the volatile costs of food and energy.
An increase in core inflation offset a decline in the energy index, causing the headline consumer price index (CPI) to be flat, according to the Department of Labor. Headline CPI beat the forecast for a 0.1% decline.
Compared to the prior year, CPI rose 1.4% (1.3% expected).
Core CPI rose 2.2% compared year-on-year, beating the estimate for a 2.1% increase.