The decrease was due to a downturn in the energy index, which declined 3.0 percent in March after rising 3.3 percent the previous month. All the energy indexes decreased, particularly the indexes for fuel oil, natural gas and motor fuel. The food index declined 0.1 percent for the second straight month to virtually the same level as October 2008. The food at home index declined 0.4 percent, the second straight such decrease, as the index for dairy and related products continued to decline.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent for the third month in a row. The indexes for lodging away from home, used cars and trucks and airline fares continued to decline. The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.8 percent over the past year. ?EUR??,,????'??? Courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics