Consumer prices fell 0.1% last month, the Labor Department reported today. It follows six months in which prices either increased or were unchanged.
In March, the Consumer Price Index increased 0.1%. During the past 12 months, prices have increased 2.2%.
Excluding food and energy costs, consumer prices were unchanged in April for the second consecutive month. That index increased 0.9% in the past year.
Energy prices fell 1.4% last month, following no change in March. Those prices have risen 18.5% in the past year.
Food prices increased 0.2% in April, the same as in March. They rose 0.5% in the past year.
Housing prices were unchanged after falling 0.1% in March. Those prices fell 0.7% in the past year.
