US consumer prices edge up 0.3pc Amid recent signs of weakness in the labour market, investors are betting the Fed could unleash further monetary stimulus to boost growth, although comments by Fed officials this week suggested the central bank is on hold as it waits to see whether the recovery gains traction. Food prices climbed 0.2pc last month but electricity prices fell 0.8pc, the steepest decline since June. Overall consumer prices rose 2.7pc year-on-year, down from 2.9pc in February. In the 12 months to March, core CPI increased 2.3pc after rising 2.2pc in February. This measure has rebounded from a record low of 0.6pc in October.