The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis in March, after rising 0.2% in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.4% before seasonal adjustment.

The index for energy fell 2.4% in March, as a 6.3-percent decline in the index for gasoline more than offset increases in the indexes for electricity and natural gas. The food index, in contrast, rose 0.4% in March as the food at home index increased 0.5% and the food away from home index rose 0.4% over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1% in March, following a 0.2-percent increase in February.

Indexes that increased over the month include personal care, medical care, education, apparel, and new vehicles. The indexes for airline fares, motor vehicle insurance, used cars and trucks, and recreation were among the major indexes that decreased in March.