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US Inflation Slows in April as Energy Prices Ease, CPI at 0.6%

US consumer prices rose 0.6% in April, a slowdown from March's 0.9% increase, driven by cooling energy costs. Yearly inflation ticked up to 3.8%, with energy still up 17.9% annually. Shelter costs rose 0.6% monthly, while food prices gained 0.5%. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.4% monthly and 2.8% yearly.

Key Points: US Inflation Slows in April: Energy Prices Cool

  • US CPI rose 0.6% in April, down from 0.9% in March
  • Energy prices cooled sharply, jumping 3.8% vs 10.9% in March
  • Yearly inflation ticked up to 3.8% from 3.3%
  • Core inflation (ex-food & energy) rose 0.4% yearly to 2.8%
2 min read

US inflation slows in April as energy prices ease

US consumer prices rose 0.6% in April, down from March's 0.9% jump, as energy costs cooled. Yearly inflation ticked up to 3.8%.

"The biggest pressure points remain energy and housing, which affect almost every household budget. - Bureau of Labor Statistics"

New Delhi, May 12

US consumer prices rose more slowly in April than in the previous month. The Consumer Price Index climbed 0.6 per cent from March's 0.9 per cent jump, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Monday.

Yearly inflation ticked up to 3.8 per cent for the 12 months ending April, from 3.3 per cent before.

Energy prices drove much of April's rise but cooled sharply. They jumped 3.8 per cent after a 10.9 per cent surge in March. Gasoline rose 5.4 per cent. Electricity went up 2.1 per cent and fuel oil 5.8 per cent. Natural gas dipped 0.1 per cent. Yearly, energy is up 17.9 per cent, with gasoline at 28.4 per cent.

Shelter costs rose 0.6 per cent. Owners' equivalent rent and rent each increased 0.5 per cent. Lodging away from home surged 2.4 per cent. Over the year, shelter is up 3.3 per cent.

Food prices gained 0.5 per cent after being flat in March. Food at home rose 0.7 per cent. Meats, poultry, fish and eggs climbed 1.3 per cent, led by beef's 2.7 per cent rise. Fruits and vegetables were up 1.8 per cent. Yearly food inflation stands at 3.2 per cent.

Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.4 per cent. Household items gained 0.7 per cent, airline fares jumped 2.8 per cent and personal care rose 0.7 per cent. Yearly core CPI is up 2.8 per cent.

Some prices fell. New vehicles and communication dropped 0.2 per cent each. Medical care eased 0.1 per cent.

Overall, inflation is still running higher than a year ago, but the pace of monthly price increases has cooled. The biggest pressure points remain energy and housing, which affect almost every household budget. Food costs are mixed, with some items like meat and produce rising while others hold steady or decline.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Good news for Indian students studying in US! If inflation slows, maybe rent and food costs will ease up. But 28% gasoline price hike yearly is crazy. My cousin in Texas says it's killing their budget.
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Michael C
As an American living in Bangalore for work, I can say these price pressures are real. The housing cost jump (3.3% yearly) is exactly what we see back home too. But at least core inflation is trending down. Now if only our RBI could learn something from this data for India's inflation management.
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Rohit P
Jab US mein inflation slow hota hai toh global economic stability badhti hai. But still, 3.8% is not negligible. India should watch this closely as our exports depend on US demand. Also, airline fares jumping 2.8% toh aur travel expensive ho jayega 😤
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Neha E
The food inflation numbers are worrying even for India. 3.2% yearly food inflation in US means global food prices are still elevated. Our own onion and tomato prices are volatile enough! At least fuel oil prices cooling off gives some relief.
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Vikram M
Honestly, good that they're showing some prudence. But let's not celebrate too early - core inflation at 2.8% still above Fed's target. For us in India, this means RBI will keep rates steady maybe. Those hoping for home loan rate cuts will have to wait longer.

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