WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2026 today, April 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The data revealed that the all-items CPI rose 3.3% on a year-over-year basis, marking an increase from the 2.4% year-over-year figures recorded in both January and February 2026. On a monthly basis, the CPI increased by 0.9% in March, following a 0.3% rise in February.
The primary driver of this acceleration in headline inflation was a substantial increase in energy prices. Crude oil prices, specifically West Texas Intermediate (WTI), experienced a significant surge in March, rising by nearly 50% during the month, from approximately $67 per barrel to nearly $100 per barrel by month-end. This increase in energy costs was a major factor contributing to the overall CPI jump.
The core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy components, also saw an increase. On a monthly basis, core CPI rose 0.3% in March, slightly up from the 0.2% increase observed in February. Annually, core CPI edged higher to 2.7% in March, compared to 2.5% in February.
Other notable increases in the 12 months leading up to February 2026 included medical care (+3.4%), household furnishings and operations (+3.9%), recreation (+2.3%), and personal care (+4.5%). The shelter index had risen 0.2% in February and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase for that month. The food index increased 0.4% over the month in February, with both food at home and food away from home contributing to the rise.
The release of the March CPI data provides key insights into the current inflationary environment. The Federal Reserve often considers such inflation metrics when making decisions regarding interest rates.