Inflation slowed for a tenth straight month in April as another drop in grocery bills offset a rebound in gasoline costs, providing some relief to Americans squeezed by a two-year run-up in prices.
Consumer prices increased 4.9% from a year earlier, down from 5% in March and a 40-year high of 9.1% last June, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index. That's the smallest yearly increase since April 2021. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.4% following a 0.1% increase in March.
For shoppers and drivers, Wednesday’s inflation report was mixed. Gasoline prices jumped 3% just in April. By contrast, grocery prices dropped for a second straight month. Used car prices surged 4.4% after nine months of declines. Rental costs rose but at a slower pace.