Inflation remained well under control in April, new government figures showed on Tuesday. After a couple months of relatively strong readings, consumer prices stagnated last month, returning to the tame levels seen late last year and the start of this year.
The Department of Labor revealed that consumer prices were flat in April compared to the previous month. This matched the expectation of economists, who had predicted no change.
The stagnation followed an increase of 0.3 percent in March. The figure was up 2.3 percent compared to last year.
A decline in energy prices held consumer prices in check during the month. This segment saw a 1.7 percent slide for April, led by a 2.6 percent drop in gasoline prices.
Core consumer prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy sectors, rose by 0.2 percent. This also matched the expectation of economists.
Food prices edged up during the month, rising by 0.2 percent.
The Department of Labor's consumer price figure is considered one of the most important measures of retail inflation. The statistics are important for predicting Federal Reserve policy. The Fed has promised to keep interest rates low at least through late 2014, but a marked rise in inflation might force the central bank to reconsider the amount of stimulus it gives the economy.
In February, the consumer price figure showed a jump of 0.4 percent, spurred higher by a sharp rise in energy prices. March saw another relatively strong result, though the pace of growth slowed a bit to 0.3 percent.
April marks a return to the tame readings of previous months. Two months during the period October to January saw an unchanged reading for consumer prices, with readings of 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent in the other two months during that span.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.