Shoppers enter the store as discount posters are displayed on the window of Mary Arnold Toys, New York city's oldest toy store on August 2, 2021. (Photo: AFP)

US prices jumped again in July, rising 0.5 percent, but at a slower pace than in the prior month, according to government data released Wednesday.

Energy prices remained a key driver of inflation, jumping 1.6 percent. Excluding volatile food and energy goods the core consumer price index rose just 0.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, the Labor Department said.

Over the latest 12 months the increased 5.4 percent.