BOCWATCH "There is a risk that the domestic and global recovery could occur in fits and starts," said Lane, adding that shifts in consumer behavior, such as lower purchases of gas and travel services, meant official measures of inflation were less meaningful. Data released earlier showed the annual inflation rate in April turned negative for the first time since 2009. "But the Bank's analysis suggests that the decline in demand stemming in part from weaker business and consumer confidence is likely to have a larger effect.