WASHINGTON (Dec. 17, 2013) — The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the past 12 months, the all items index increased 1.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.
The energy index declined in November, offsetting increases in other indexes to result in the seasonally adjusted all items index being unchanged. The indexes for gasoline and for natural gas fell significantly, more than offsetting increases in the electricity and fuel oil indexes. The food index rose slightly in November, with the food at home index unchanged.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in November. Increases in the indexes for shelter and airline fares accounted for most of the increase, with the indexes for recreation and for used cars and trucks also rising. The indexes for apparel, for household furnishings and operations, and for new vehicles all declined in November.
The all items index increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months, a larger increase than the 1.0 percent rise for the 12 months ending October. The 12-month increase in the index for all items less food and energy remained at 1.7 percent for the third month in a row. The food index increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months, while the energy index declined 2.4 percent.
Food index
The food index rose 0.1 percent in November, the same increase as in October. The index for food at home was unchanged, with major grocery store food groups mixed. The index for fruits and vegetables declined in November, falling 0.7 percent after rising in October. The indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs and for nonalcoholic beverages also declined in November, each falling 0.2 percent. The index for cereals and bakery products, which declined in October, was unchanged in November. The index for other food at home rose in November, increasing 0.5 percent, and the index for dairy and related products rose 0.4 percent in November after falling in October. The food at home index has risen 0.6 percent over the last 12 months, the smallest 12-month increase since June 2010. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs has posted the largest increase of the six major grocery store food groups over the last year, rising 2.8 percent. The index for nonalcoholic beverages has declined the most, falling 1.8 percent. The index for food away from home rose 0.3 percent in November, its largest increase since April, and has risen 2.1 percent over the last year.
Energy index
The energy index declined 1.0 percent in November after falling 1.7 percent in October. The gasoline index, which fell 2.9 percent in October, declined 1.6 percent in November. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 3.3 percent in November.) The index for natural gas also declined, falling 1.8 percent in November; this was its fifth decline in the last 6 months. Other energy indexes increased, however. The electricity index rose 0.3 percent in November, its third consecutive increase. The index for fuel oil rose 0.4 percent in November after declining in October. The energy index has declined 2.4 percent over the last year, with the gasoline index down 5.8 percent and the index for fuel oil decreasing 4.1 percent. The electricity index has risen 2.9 percent over the last year, and the index for natural gas has increased 1.0 percent.
All items less food and energy
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in November after rising 0.1 percent in each of the 3 previous months. The shelter index rose 0.3 percent in November after a 0.1 percent increase in October. The rent index increased 0.2 percent, while the index for owners’ equivalent rent increased 0.3 percent. The index for lodging away from home rose 2.9 percent in November after declining 3.1 percent in October. The index for airline fares continued to rise, advancing 2.6 percent in November after a 3.6 percent increase in October. The recreation index rose 0.2 percent, and the index for used cars and trucks advanced 0.1 percent. The index for medical care was unchanged in November, with both the medical care commodities and medical care services components unchanged. The apparel index continued to decrease, falling 0.4 percent, its third consecutive decline. The index for household furnishings and operations fell 0.2 percent in November, as did the tobacco index. The index for new vehicles declined 0.1 percent for the second consecutive month.
The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.7 percent for the 12 months ending November. Indexes that have increased at a faster rate include airline fares (4.2 percent), shelter (2.4 percent), and medical care (2.2 percent). Indexes that increased more slowly or declined include household furnishings and operations (-1.4 percent), apparel (-0.1 percent), and new vehicles (0.6 percent). Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 233.069 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 229.133 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.
The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.1 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2011 period are subject to revision.
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