#CPI&JoblessClaimsWatch – April 2025 Update

Here’s a quick snapshot of the latest U.S. economic indicators:

1. Consumer Price Index (CPI):

March CPI declined by 0.1% month-over-month — a modest dip signaling easing price pressures.

Year-over-year inflation now stands at 2.4%, reinforcing the trend of cooling inflation.

Core CPI (excluding food and energy) rose 0.1% in March, with a year-over-year rate of 2.8%. While core inflation remains somewhat sticky, it’s showing no signs of accelerating.

2. Jobless Claims:

Initial claims rose by 4,000 to 223,000 last week.

Despite the slight uptick, claims remain historically low, marking the sixth straight week below 226,000 — a sign of continued labor market resilience.

Bottom Line:

Inflation continues to cool gradually, while the job market remains steady. This balance reduces immediate recession concerns and puts the Federal Reserve in a wait-and-see mode.