How To Read Latest Consumer Spending Data

ARLINGTON, Va.—Overall consumer prices dropped 0.3% in March on a seasonally adjusted basis.
"The decline was driven by lower gasoline prices, which decreased 6.2% during the month," noted NAFCU Chief Economist and Director of Research Curt Long in a Macro Data Flash analyzing the Bureau of Labor Statistics data. "Lower apparel and vehicle prices contributed to the decrease. Prices for wireless telephone services also fell sharply during the month.
"Despite this weak report, inflation has been trending up lately overall, and June remains a distinct possibility for the Fed's next rate hike," he continued. "However, if next month's inflation reading is as weak as this one, that would cast serious doubts on those prospects."
Food prices increased 0.3% due to rising fruit and vegetable prices. Energy prices overall decreased 2.3%.
The overall consumer price index increased 2.4% year-over-year, but core CPI inflation (excluding food and energy) dropped for the first time in seven years, hitting 2%, Long added.