Consumer Prices Inched Up 0.3% in April

Washington, DC, May 10, 2019-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% in April on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.4% in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. 

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.0% before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index continued to increase, rising 5.7% and accounting for over two-thirds of the seasonally adjusted all items monthly increase. 

The index for energy rose 2.9%, although the index for natural gas declined and the index for electricity was unchanged. The food index fell in April, its first monthly decline since June 2017.  

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1% for the third consecutive month. The indexes for shelter, medical care, education, and new vehicles all rose in April. The indexes for used cars and trucks, apparel, and household furnishings and operations were among those that declined over the month.