Total CPI increased 0.4% month-over-month in March (Briefing.com consensus +0.3%), which was driven mostly by a 3.5% increase in the energy index.
Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was up just 0.1% (Briefing.com consensus +0.2%).
Total CPI increased 1.9% for the 12 months ending March, up from 1.5% for the period ending February.
The food index was up 0.3% month-over-month in March.
The index for used cars and trucks was down 0.4% month-over-month while the index for apparel declined 1.9% month-over-month.
The shelter index increased 0.4% month-over-month and was a key driver of the uptick in core CPI.
The key takeaway from the report is that the core rate of inflation moderated on a year-over-year basis to 2.0% from 2.1% in February, which is a trend that should keep the Federal Reserve comfortable with its position of being on hold.| MAR | FEB | JAN | DEC | NOV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Items | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Food and Beverages | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Housing | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Equivalent Rent | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Apparel | -1.9% | 0.3% | 1.1% | 0.0% | -0.6% |
| Transportation | 1.5% | 0.1% | -1.3% | -1.5% | -1.0% |
| Vehicles | 0.0% | -0.6% | 0.1% | -0.1% | 0.9% |
| Motor Fuel | 6.5% | 1.5% | -5.5% | -5.8% | -5.2% |
| Medical Care | 0.3% | -0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Educ and Commun | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.1% | -0.5% |
| Special Indices | |||||
| Core | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Energy | 3.5% | 0.4% | -3.1% | -2.6% | -2.8% |
| Services | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
, Copyright ©2019.All rights reserved.3rd Party Research Disclosure /public-16:20:32