WASHINGTON -- Consumer prices fell in April for the first time in 13 months as energy prices tumbled and high unemployment limited businesses' ability to raise prices.
The 0.1 percent decrease in overall prices was pulled down by gas prices that are expected to drop further over the summer.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was flat in April, according to the Labor Department report issued Wednesday. Core inflation is up just 0.9 percent over the past 12 months, the smallest increase since 1966.
The recession in 2007 and 2008 has kept inflation tame, giving the Federal Reserve leeway to keep interest rates at historic lows to help jump-start economic growth. Some economists worry about the possibility of deflation, a destabilizing period of falling prices.
"With the unemployment rate so close to 10 percent, it is entirely understandable that the Fed wants to stick with its commitment to leave rates at near-zero," said Paul Ashworth, senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics.
Ashworth said the Fed will not start raising interest rates until late next year and it's possible the first Fed rate hikes will not occur until 2012.
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