U.S. CPI Inflation Rises 0.1% in March, Slower Than Forecasts for 0.2%

The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1% in March, down from 0.4% a month previously, and slower than economist forecasts for 0.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

On a year-over-year basis, the CPI was higher by 5.0%, down from 6.0% in February and against expectations for 5.2%.

The core CPI – which strips out often volatile food and energy prices – was up 0.4% in March versus 0.5% in February and in line with forecasts for 0.4%. On a year-over-year basis, core CPI was up 5.6% versus 5.5% in February and in line with forecasts for 5.6%.

The price of bitcoin (BTC) – which earlier this week topped $30,000 for the first time since June 2022 – rose nearly 1.5% to $30,430 in the immediate aftermath of the report.

Bitcoin's gains of late have at least part been influenced by ideas the U.S. Federal Reserve – perhaps as soon as its May 2-3 meeting – was set to end its year-plus string of interest rate hikes. Wednesday's softer-than-forecast inflation figures may give fuel to those dovish hopes.

Alongside gains for bitcoin, U.S. stock index futures have turned higher following the report, with the Nasdaq ahead 1.1% and S&P 500 up 0.9%. The price of gold is also advancing, up 1.1% to $2,042 per ounce.

Bond yields and the dollar are sliding, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield lower by 5 basis points to 3.38% and the U.S. dollar index down 0.6%.