The annual core inflation rate in the United States, which excludes food and energy, rose to 2.8% in April of 2026 from 2.6% in the previous month, slightly above market expectations of 2.7%. It was the sharpest core inflation rate since September of last year. Prices rose sharply for services less energy services (3.3%) amid higher costs for shelter (3.3%) and transportation services (4.3%). IN turn, prices rose sharply for apparel (4.2%), while they fell rose less for new vehicles (0.2%) and tumbled for used cars and trucks (-2.7%). From the previous month, core consumer prices rose by 0.4%, the sharpest increase since January 2025.