U.S. Government Reports Consumer Price Index Remained Relatively Flat in March

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in March. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.3 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index was mostly due to an increase in the fresh fruits and vegetables index, which rose 4.6 percent in March and accounted for over 60 percent of the all items increase. Other food at home indexes were mixed and the index for food away from home was unchanged.

The index for energy and for all items less food and energy were both unchanged in March. Within energy, an increase in the electricity index was offset by declines in the indexes for gasoline and natural gas. Within all items less food and energy, the indexes for medical care, new vehicles, and used cars and trucks posted increases, while the indexes for shelter, household furnishings and operations, and apparel declined.

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