Updated: 12-May-26 09:35 ET
Highlights
- Total CPI increased 0.6% month-over-month in April, as expected, following a 0.9% increase in March. That left total CPI up 3.8% year-over-year versus 3.3% in March.
- Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, jumped 0.4% month-over-month (Briefing.com consensus: 0.4%) following a 0.2% increase in March. That left core CPI up 2.8% year-over-year versus 2.6% in March.
- The food index was up 0.5% month-over-month and up 3.2% year-over-year.
- The energy index was up 3.8% month-over-month and up 17.9% year-over-year.
- The shelter index was up 0.6% month-over-month and up 3.3% year-over-year.
- The used cars and trucks index was flat month-over-month and down 2.7% year-over-year.
- The apparel index was up 0.6% month-over-month and up 4.2% year-over-year.
- The services index was up 0.6% month-over-month and up 3.4% year-over-year (services less rent of shelter was up 3.5% year-over-year).
- The all items index less food, shelter, and energy was up 0.2% month-over-month and up 2.3% year-over-year.
- The key takeaway from the report is the elevated inflation readings, which are well above the Fed's 2.0% inflation target and a signal not to expect a rate cut anytime soon.
| Category | APR | MAR | FEB | JAN | DEC |
| All Items | 0.6% | 0.9% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Food and Beverages | 0.5% | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Housing | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Equivalent Rent | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Apparel | 0.6% | 1.0% | 1.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Transportation | 1.3% | 4.3% | 0.2% | -0.3% | 0.0% |
| Vehicles | -0.2% | -0.1% | -0.1% | -0.5% | -0.3% |
| Motor Fuel | 5.4% | 21.2% | 0.8% | -3.2% | -0.3% |
| Medical Care | -0.1% | -0.2% | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Educ and Commun | 0.0% | 0.2% | -0.2% | 0.4% | -0.9% |
| Special Indices | |||||
| Core | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Energy | 3.8% | 10.9% | 0.6% | -1.5% | 0.3% |
| Services | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.3% |
