US consumer prices surge in March in line with expectations - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxOUVJXdXllX3h1YlM4N3lDNE9XMWJWQW81TFZfem9qTHhoYjFDeVBrRGdRWVpXRGs2dUpKcFZFN0FESUhZUjhkMm5WS0dTUlRhM3dZQVJkMkhjbVdBYmxPVXJ0djg3UnhUTWNrcjhRYk1rZ1BlMVMxVnVmVlB5ZzAzU05pRl9nbmlteWY5TGhkazMyZTIwaHBGMQ?oc=5" target="_blank">US consumer prices surge in March in line with expectations</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

U.S. consumer prices likely recorded their biggest increase in nearly four years in March as the war with Iran boosted oil prices and the pass-through from tariffs persisted, which would further diminish hopes for an interest rate cut this year.

The annual inflation rate in the US likely jumped to 3.3% in March 2026, marking the highest level since May 2024 and a sharp increase from 2.4% in February. The rise was primarily driven by higher energy costs linked to the war with Iran, alongside the continued pass-through of tariffs into consumer prices.

Prices for everyday household purchases rose 2% in March compared with the same period in 2025, according to figures released Wednesday by data analysis firm Numerator. The reading is lower than the 2.7% year-over-year pace Numerator’s Consumer Goods Price Index recorded in February.

Soaring gas prices are expected to produce a spike in inflation when the government reports consumer prices for March on Friday, likely unnerving the inflation fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening the political challenges of rising costs for the White House.

Consumer prices in the U.S. increased in line with economist estimates in the month of March, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Friday.

U.S. consumer prices rose 3.3% year-over-year in March, meeting economists' expectations and reflecting the impact of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on inflation.

Inflation surged in March, with consumer prices jumping amid the economic disruptions caused by the Iran war's impact on the energy market.

Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March from a year earlier, marking the largest annual increase since May 2024, driven by a significant rise in energy prices.

The Consumer Price Index in the United States increased 0.9% month-over-month in March 2026, the largest increase since June 2022, following a 0.3% gain in February and in line with forecasts.

U.S. headline CPI inflation accelerated sharply in March, rising 3.3% year-over-year and 0.9% month-over-month—the largest monthly gain since 2022—almost entirely driven by energy costs.