Core inflation hit an annual rate of 3.3% in April, as expected, Fed’s preferred gauge shows

Inflation continued to hit consumer wallets in April, likely keeping the Federal Reserve on the sidelines until the current wave subsides, fresh pricing data released Thursday showed.

The personal consumption expenditures price index increased a seasonally adjusted 0.4% for the month, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 3.8%, the Commerce Department reported. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for respective readings of 0.5% and 3.8%.

Excluding food and energy, core prices rose 0.2% for the month and 3.3% for the year, against estimates of 0.3% and 3.3%.

The 12-month level for headline inflation was the highest since May 2023. For core, the annual level was the peak since November 2023.

While the annual rates were in line with forecasts, the soft monthly readings could provide some hope that the burst in prices over the previous month had begun to ease.

The Fed takes in a wide dashboard of indicators, but uses the PCE measures as its prime forecasting and policy tool. Officials generally consider core a better indicator of long-term inflation trends as it excludes the volatile gas and groceries components.

In other economic news Thursday, gross domestic product growth in the first quarter was less than expected. GDP accelerated at an annualized rate of just 1.6% for the period, according to a revised Commerce Department reading that was below the initial estimate of 2%.

The department said the initial reading was cut because of downward revisions to consumer spending and investment. The consensus was for GDP to hold at the earlier 2% estimate.