The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1
percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all
items index increased 1.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.
Increases in the indexes for shelter and medical care contributed to
the increase in the seasonally adjusted all items index; they also
accounted for most of the 0.1 percent increase in the index for all
items less food and energy. Within all items less food and energy, the
indexes for personal care, tobacco, and apparel rose as well, while
the indexes for airline fares, household furnishings and operations,
and used cars and trucks declined.
The food index rose slightly in August, with the fruits and vegetable
index rising 1.2 percent and four of the six major grocery store group
indexes increasing. The energy index declined 0.3 percent, due mostly
to a sharp decline in the index for natural gas. The gasoline and
electricity indexes also declined slightly, while the index for fuel
oil rose.
The all items index increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months. The
index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.8 percent over
the last year; the 12-month change has remained in the range of 1.6
percent to 2.3 percent since June of 2011. The food index rose 1.4
percent over the last 12 months, a figure that has held steady since
May. The energy index declined 0.1 percent over the last 12 months.
