| Closely watched readings on inflation released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed consumer prices in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of March. The Commerce Department said its consumer price index rose by 0.3 percent in March, matching the increase seen in February as well as economist estimates. Excluding food and energy prices, core consumer prices also climbed by 0.3 percent for the second straight month, in line with expectations. Meanwhile, the report said the annual rate of consumer price growth accelerated to 2.7 percent in March from 2.5 percent in February. The annual rate of growth by core consumer prices in March came in unchanged from February at 2.8 percent. Prices for services continued to drive annual growth, with services prices for March surging by 4.0 percent compared to the same month a year ago. Prices for goods inched up just 0.1 percent year-over-year. Powered by Commodity Insights |