U.S. consumer prices rose by a higher-than-expected 0.6% in April.

The big increase came after a strong 0.4% advance in March, the U.S. Labor Department said today.

Economists had been forecasting the consumer price index would rise by 0.5%.

The core inflation rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, jumped 0.3%.

That increase boosted the year-over-year core inflation rate from 2.1% in March to 2.3% in April, its the highest annual rate in 13 months.

The jump in core inflation raised concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve may again increase interest rates.

The hed has hiked its key lending rate 16 consecutive times, most recently to 5%, and warned last week that further rate hikes were possible, depending on the economic data.

Canada’s inflation report for April is scheduled for release on Thursday.