The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a decrease in the annual inflation rate for March, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI rose 2.4% year-over-year, a decline from the 2.8% increase recorded in February. This figure fell below market expectations, which had anticipated a 2.6% rise.
The core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy sectors, also exhibited a deceleration in growth. The core CPI increased by 2.8% on an annual basis, down from the 3.1% increase observed in February. This figure similarly undershot analysts’ projections of a 3% increase.
On a month-over-month basis, the overall CPI experienced a decrease of 0.1%. Conversely, the core CPI registered a modest increase of 0.1% during the same period.
