US Inflation Slows for First Time Since January

The annual inflation rate eased in April for the first time since January as shelter and gasoline costs contributed to price pressures, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Last month, the consumer price index slowed to 3.4 percent, down from 3.5 percent in March. This was in line with market estimates. The CPI rose 0.3 percent monthly, down from 0.4 percent in the previous month and below the consensus forecast of 0.4 percent.

Core inflation, which strips the volatile energy and food components, also eased to 3.6 percent, down from 3.8 percent, matching economists’ expectations. On a month-over-month basis, the core CPI jumped 0.3 percent, down from 0.4 percent and matching market projections.

U.S. government data showed that energy and shelter costs were the primary contributors to the monthly inflation increase.

The energy index advanced 1.1 percent, with gasoline climbing 2.8 percent and fuel oil swelling 0.9 percent.

Despite crude futures easing in recent weeks, oil prices continue to be elevated. U.S. crude is up more than 10 percent year-to-date to nearly $79 a barrel. Brent, the international benchmark for oil prices, has climbed close to 8 percent so far this year, hovering around $83 per barrel.

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