Consumer Prices Surge on Energy Costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer prices rose sharply in March, reflecting higher costs for everything from gasoline to clothes and hotel rooms. Perhaps most troubling, core inflation, which does not include energy and food, rose at the fastest pace in a year.

Analysts said the increase in core inflation was worrisome because it was so widespread and could show that the relentless rise in energy costs is beginning to spill over into other areas.