US Consumer Price Index Rises 3.8% Year-Over-Year in April

On Tuesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.6% in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, following a 0.9% increase in March. Over the past 12 months, the all-items index increased 3.8% before seasonal adjustment.

Energy rose 3.8% in April and accounted for more than 40% of the monthly increase in the all-items index. Shelter increased 0.6%. The food index rose 0.5%, with food at home up 0.7% and food away from home increasing 0.2%.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.4% in April. Indexes that increased over the month included household furnishings and operations, airline fares, personal care, apparel, and education. New vehicles, communication, and medical care were among the indexes that declined.

Year-over-year, the all-items index increased 3.8% in April after rising 3.3% in March. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.8%, following a 2.6% increase in March. The energy index increased 17.9% year-over-year, while the food index rose 3.2%.