The annual U.S. inflation was 8.5 percent in March, following a 7.9-percent annual gain in February, driven by rising energy and food costs, the U.S. Labor Department said on Tuesday.

The data for March showed the biggest monthly rise in consumer prices in 40 years, reinforcing expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will stay the course on aggressive monetary tightening.

On a monthly basis, the inflation data accelerated at a seasonally adjusted 1.2 percent last month, from 0.8 percent in February, and the fastest one-month increase since 2005.

Gasoline prices on average soared to an all-time high of $4.33 per gallon in March, according to American Automobile Association. 

While gasoline was the main driver of inflation last month, food and services such as rental housing also made strong contributions.

The strong inflation readings followed on the heels of data last month showing the unemployment rate dropping to a fresh two-year low of 3.6 percent in March.

The U.S. central bank in March raised its policy interest rate by 25 basis points, the first hike in more than three years.

U.S. stock indexes bounced after data showed consumer prices rose largely in line with estimates. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 104.4 points, or 0.30 percent, at the opening bell to 34412.51. The S&P 500 rose 25.1 points, or 0.57 percent to 4437.59​, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 172.7 points, or 1.29 percent, to 13584.68.

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(With input from Reuters)