Inflation slowed to 2.4% in the 12 months through March, as measured by the consumer-price index. That undershot the 2.6% forecast by economists polled by The Wall Street Journal. On a core basis, excluding volatile food and energy,

The consumer price index climbed 2.4% year over year last month, according to data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's a deceleration from February's 2.8% pace. Follow live coverage and analysis of the inflation data here.