U.S. Consumer Prices Ticked Lower in December

Wage growth was strong in the month; ‘consumer inflation remains stable and well-behaved’

Harriet Torry

Updated Jan. 11, 2019 12:37 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON—Tame inflation, low gas prices and rising wages are putting more dollars in the pockets of American workers, a positive sign for consumer spending headed into 2019.

After adjusting for inflation, average hourly earnings rose a seasonally adjusted 1.1% in December from a year earlier, the strongest growth rate since September 2016, the Labor Department said Friday.

Meanwhile,...