Economic stats: Real earnings down

Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.5 percent from March to April after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

A 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings was offset by a 0.3 percent decrease in average weekly hours and a 0.2 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.

On a seasonally adjusted basis the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.2 percent in April after increasing 0.3 percent in March. The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent, following an increase of 0.2 percent in March.