Internet reported that PCE inflation data favored by the Federal Reserve stagnated in March for the first time in nearly a year, with strong consumer spending, a welcome relief before markets expect tariffs to generally push prices higher. Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the PCE index has stagnated since February. Excluding food and energy, core PCE also remained flat, the mildest level in nearly five years. Adjusted for inflation, real personal consumption expenditure rose 0.7% monthly in March after the data was revised upward from the previous month, indicating households are spending heavily to avoid new tariffs. The data capped the first quarter, when the U.S. economy shrank for the first time since 2022 due to a surge in pre-tariff imports and softer consumer spending. (Jin Shi)