On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U decreased 0.1 percent in March after rising 0.4 percent in February. 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 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. An 11.0 percent increase in the index for tobacco and smoking products accounted for over 60 percent of the March rise, with a 0.6 percent increase in the new vehicles index also contributing. In contrast, 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. – U.S. Department of Labor