WASHINGTON – The March consumer price index posted a 0.1% gain, and core rose 0.1% (the latter its smallest gain since August). These produced over-the-year paces of a 0.9% increase overall and 2.2% core.
Core was held down by apparel at a 1.1% decline (men's clothing and footware fell), airfares dropped 0.9% and used cars slid 0.1%.
Food posted a 0.2% decrease as fruits and vegetables, cereal and meats fell.
Energy posted a 0.9% rise as gas jumped 2.2% after a 13% decline in February. Fuel oil was up 1.7% and electricity rose 0.4%.
Owners' equivalent rents posted a 0.2% gain after getting to a high of a 0.3% rise in February.
Overall, the price report was better than expected this month but CPI has edged higher this year.
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