U.S. consumer prices post first drop in nine months on gasoline

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer prices fell for the first time in nine months in December amid a plunge in gasoline prices, but underlying inflation pressures remained firm as rental housing and healthcare costs rose steadily.Overall, the report from the Labor Department on Friday pointed to moderate inflation, which could support recent statements by Federal Reserve officials for caution about raising interest rates this year."The Fed will take this as further proof that price pressures..