• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Inflation

Inflation pressures increased last month

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 15, 2014, 11:21 AM ET

FORTUNE — U.S. consumer prices last month posted their largest increase since last summer, as gasoline, shelter and food prices all grew.

The Labor Department on Thursday said its seasonally adjusted consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.3% in April. The gasoline index grew 2.3%, the first increase for the energy index since January, despite declines for electricity and fuel. The food index grew 0.4% last month–the third consecutive increase. The latest increase was due to a sharp rise in meat prices.

The Department of Labor’s CPI measures consumer-level inflation.

MORE: Producer prices see largest increase in over a year

The index for all items excluding food and energy rose 0.2% in April. Prices for shelter, medical care, new vehicles and airline fares all increased, though the indexes for apparel, personal care, and household furnishings were flat.

A report released Wednesday showed U.S. producer prices saw their largest increase in over a year last month, hinting at some inflation pressures at the wholesale level.

The Labor Department said its seasonally adjusted producer price index (PPI) for final demand advanced 0.6% in April, marking the biggest rise since September 2012. It was the second consecutive month that metric advanced. In March, the index increased 0.5%.

MORE:Can America’s middle class save more?

There have been some mixed signs about the strength of the U.S. economy. Employers continue to add jobs, which can help lift consumer discretionary spending, but earlier this week, the Commerce Department reported retail sales grew a less-than-expected 0.1% in April from the prior month.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Features

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Features

Meta and YouTube just took a crushing legal blow over tech addiction. At this rehab for addicted teens and adults, it’s treated like heroin
MagazineSocial Media
Meta and YouTube just took a crushing legal blow over tech addiction. At this rehab for addicted teens and adults, it’s treated like heroin
By Kristin StollerMarch 24, 2026
12 days ago
Cursor’s crossroads: The rapid rise, and very uncertain future, of a $30 billion AI startup
MagazineCoding
Cursor’s crossroads: The rapid rise, and very uncertain future, of a $30 billion AI startup
By Allie GarfinkleMarch 21, 2026
15 days ago
For CEOs, it’s time for a wartime mindset
MagazineIran
For CEOs, it’s time for a wartime mindset
By Geoff ColvinMarch 20, 2026
16 days ago
This photograph taken in Le-Perreux-sur-Marne, outside Paris on February 9, 2026 shows undated pictures provided by the US Department of Justice on January 30, 2026 as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files
C-SuiteJeffrey Epstein
How Jeffrey Epstein pulled Bill Gates and Microsoft into a web of sex, money, and secrets
By Eva Roytburg and Jim EdwardsMarch 10, 2026
26 days ago
Target’s new CEO lays out a $6 billion plan to revive ‘Tarzhay’
C-SuiteRetail
Target’s new CEO lays out a $6 billion plan to revive ‘Tarzhay’
By Phil WahbaMarch 6, 2026
1 month ago
Exclusive: How Becky Kennedy built a leadership playbook for parenting—and a $34-million-a-year business
SuccessMost Powerful Women
Exclusive: How Becky Kennedy built a leadership playbook for parenting—and a $34-million-a-year business
By Claire ZillmanFebruary 27, 2026
1 month ago

Most Popular

The World Cup is supposed to be an economic windfall. But 'you're seeing a number of headwinds' now
North America
The World Cup is supposed to be an economic windfall. But 'you're seeing a number of headwinds' now
By Fortune EditorsApril 4, 2026
1 day ago
'It’s shocking how poorly prepared the administration is': DOGE gutted major energy personnel who warn the U.S. has lost key insights amid Iran war
Energy
'It’s shocking how poorly prepared the administration is': DOGE gutted major energy personnel who warn the U.S. has lost key insights amid Iran war
By Fortune EditorsApril 5, 2026
10 hours ago
Major 4-day workweek study suggests that when we work 5 days we spend one doing basically nothing
Success
Major 4-day workweek study suggests that when we work 5 days we spend one doing basically nothing
By Fortune EditorsApril 2, 2026
3 days ago
College grads in ‘AI-proof’ careers like psychology and education are seeing negative returns on their degrees
Personal Finance
College grads in ‘AI-proof’ careers like psychology and education are seeing negative returns on their degrees
By Fortune EditorsApril 4, 2026
1 day ago
Meet a 74-year-old New Yorker who unretired to become an Uber driver: 'I'm amazed at what people will tell me'
Personal Finance
Meet a 74-year-old New Yorker who unretired to become an Uber driver: 'I'm amazed at what people will tell me'
By Fortune EditorsApril 4, 2026
1 day ago
A Yale economist says AGI won't automate most jobs—because they're not worth the trouble
AI
A Yale economist says AGI won't automate most jobs—because they're not worth the trouble
By Fortune EditorsApril 4, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.