Consumer prices rise slightly in March

(April 13, 2012) -- Expectations for the March 2012 consumer price index (CPI) report were for a slight moderation in both the monthly increase and the year-over-year increase based on indications of a lessening effect from gasoline prices. The monthly increase moderated to 0.3 percent in March from 0.4 percent in February, which largely reflected the increase in gasoline prices moderating to 1.7 percent from 6.0 percent during this period. On a year-over-year basis, the overall inflation rate moderated to 2.7 percent from 2.9 percent.