Consumer prices in the United States sprang up moderately in April as energy prices resumed their climb after a sharp decline in March.
Figures released Friday by the U.S. Labor Department showed consumer prices rose 0.2% after a 0.3% drop in March, the biggest fall south of the border in more than two years. Energy prices rose 1.1% after tumbling 3.2% the previous month.
Core inflation, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, rose 0.1%. Over the past 12 months, inflation is up 2.2%. Core prices have risen 1.9%
The Federal Reserve tries to manage the economy so that annual increases in inflation are around 2%. The Fed raised its key interest rate in March, and analysts expect another hike in June.
