April 1995 Consumer Price Index

Historical release narrative reproduced from the official public-domain source. Statistical tables, standard technical appendices, administrative material and attendance rosters are omitted; formatting is adapted for reading. Figures retain the release's historical context and may have been revised. Consult the linked source for the complete document.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.3 percent before seasonal adjustment in April to a level of 151.9 (1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in April, the CPI-U increased 3.1 percent.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 0.4 percent in April, prior to seasonal adjustment. The April 1995 CPI-W level of 149.3 was 3.2 percent higher than the index in April 1994.

CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.4 percent in April, following an increase of 0.2 percent in March. In April, the index for food rose 0.7 percent after registering no change in March. Over 80 percent of the April food advance was due to a 7.5 percent increase in the index for fresh fruits and vegetables, resulting in part, from a record 113.1 percent increase in lettuce prices. Energy costs advanced 0.4 percent in April as the index for gasoline registered its first increase since January. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U increased 0.4 percent, following increases of 0.3 percent in each of the 2 preceding months. Shelter costs, which increased 0.3 percent in each of the first 3 months of 1995, rose 0.4 percent in April.

During the first 4 months of 1995, the CPI-U rose at a 3.6 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with a 2.7 percent increase for all of 1994. The food index has risen at a 2.3 percent annual rate, and energy costs have increased at a 0.3 percent rate. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U advanced at a 4.2 percent rate in the first 4 months of 1995. This follows a 2.6 percent increase in all of 1994.

The food and beverage index rose 0.7 percent in April, following no change in March. Grocery store food prices, which declined 0.2 percent in March, advanced 1.1 percent. The acceleration in April largely reflects a sharp upturn in the index for fruits and vegetables, which rose 5.1 percent after declining 1.8 percent in March. The index for fresh vegetables rose 13.6 percent, with lettuce and tomato prices up 113.1 and 15.6 percent, respectively. Among other major grocery store food groups, moderate increases were recorded in the indexes for cereal and bakery products, dairy products, and other food at home. On the other hand, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs declined 0.2 percent in April. Declines in prices for beef, pork, poultry, and eggs more than offset a small increase in the index for fish and seafood. The other two components of the food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--rose 0.1 and 0.3 percent, respectively.

The housing component increased 0.3 percent in April, following a 0.2 percent rise in March. Shelter costs rose 0.4 percent in April after increasing 0.3 percent in each of the 3 preceding months. Within shelter, renters' and homeowners' costs each advanced 0.4 percent, while maintenance and repair costs were unchanged. The index for fuel and other utilities, which declined 0.2 percent in March, increased 0.2 percent in April. The index for household fuels rose 0.2 percent, as increases in the indexes for natural gas and fuel oil--up 1.3 and 0.1 percent, respectively- -more than offset a 0.2 percent decrease in the index for electricity. The index for other utilities and public services rose 0.2 percent, as a decrease in local charges for telephone services was more than offset by increases in the indexes for interstate toll calls, refuse collection, and cable television. The index for household furnishings and operation fell 0.1 percent in April.

The transportation index continued its recent upward trend in April--up 0.7 percent--despite moderation in several of the components that were responsible for the acceleration in the first quarter. The indexes for used car prices and automobile finance charges, which recorded average monthly increases well over 2.0 percent during the first 3 months of the year, rose 0.4 and 1.1 percent, respectively, in April. Airline fares, however, continued to advance sharply--up 3.4 percent in April and 10.6 percent thus far in 1995. In addition, two components--gasoline and new cars-- that had helped to mitigate these increases during the first quarter, accelerated in April. The index for gasoline rose 0.6 percent in April after falling during the first quarter. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 2.2 percent in April.) The index for new cars, which advanced 0.4 percent in the first quarter, increased 0.6 percent in April.

In April, the index for apparel and upkeep declined 0.1 percent. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, clothing prices rose 0.3 percent.) A 1.3 percent increase in the index for women's clothing was offset by declines in the indexes for men's, boys', girls', and infants' and toddlers' apparel.

The medical care index rose 0.3 percent in April as it had in each of the first 3 months of 1995. As of April, the index was 4.6 percent higher than a year earlier. The index for medical care commodities--prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--was virtually unchanged in April. The index for medical care services rose 0.4 percent. Charges for professional services and hospital and related services increased 0.2 and 0.4 percent, respectively.

Entertainment costs rose 0.3 percent in April. Increases of 1.1 percent each in the indexes for newspapers and for toys, hobbies, and music equipment accounted for more than half of the April entertainment advance.

The index for other goods and services increased 0.2 percent in April, following a 0.1 percent rise in March. The index for tobacco and smoking products rose 0.3 percent.

CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers rose 0.3 percent in April.