November 2000 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) increased 0.1 percent in November, before seasonal adjustment, to a level of 174.1 (1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in November, the CPI- U increased 3.4 percent.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.2 percent in November, prior to seasonal adjustment. The November level of 170.9 was 3.5 percent higher than the index in November 1999.

CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent in November, the same as in October. The food index, which rose 0.1 percent in October, was unchanged in November. The energy index increased 0.1 percent in November, following a 0.2 percent rise in October. In November, the index for petroleum-based energy increased 0.2 percent, while the index for energy services declined 0.1 percent. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.3 percent, following a 0.2 percent rise in October. A sharp upturn in the tobacco index was principally responsible for the larger advance in November.

During the first 11 months of 2000, the CPI-U rose at a 3.5 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 2.7 percent for all of 1999. The energy index, which increased 13.4 percent in 1999, has risen at a 15.1 percent SAAR thus far in 2000. In the first 11 months of 2000, petroleum-based energy costs increased at an 18.9 percent SAAR, and charges for energy services rose at an 11.2 percent annual rate. The food index has risen at a 2.4 percent SAAR thus far in 2000, following a 1.9 percent increase for all of 1999. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U has advanced at a 2.7 percent rate thus far in 2000, compared with a 1.9 percent rise for all of 1999.

The food and beverages index increased 0.1 percent in November, the same as in each of the preceding two months. The index for food at home declined 0.1 percent in November. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs declined 1.0 percent in November. Poultry prices fell 3.0 percent as the index for other poultry, including turkey, declined 5.1 percent. Meat prices declined for the third consecutive month; a 1.2 percent drop in pork prices more than offset a 1.2 percent rise in the index for other meats, while the index for beef was unchanged. The indexes for cereal and bakery products and for dairy products each declined 0.3 percent. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 0.7 percent in November. Within the fruits and vegetables group, the indexes for fresh fruits and for fresh vegetables rose 2.0 and 0.9 percent, respectively, more than offsetting a 2.0 percent decline in the index for processed fruits and vegetables. The index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 0.7 percent, reflecting a 1.5 percent increase in the index for carbonated drinks. The index for other food at home increased 0.6 percent. The other two components of the food and beverages index--food away from home and alcoholic beverages-- increased 0.1 and 0.5 percent, respectively, in November.

The housing index increased 0.2 percent in November, following a 0.5 percent rise in October. The index for fuels and utilities, which advanced 1.3 percent in October, rose 0.1 percent in November. In November, the indexes for fuel oil and for electricity increased 0.1 and 0.2 percent, respectively, while the index for natural gas declined 0.7 percent. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, prices for fuel oil increased 2.1 percent and charges for natural gas rose 2.0 percent, while charges for electricity declined 2.0 percent.) During the past 12 months, prices for fuel oil have increased 45.2 percent and charges for natural gas 25.6 percent. Charges for electricity have risen 2.3 percent. Shelter costs increased 0.3 percent in November, following a 0.4 percent rise in October. Within shelter, the indexes for rent and for owners' equivalent rent each increased 0.3 percent, and the index for lodging away from home rose 0.2 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations, which was unchanged in October, advanced 0.4 percent in November.

The transportation component turned back up in November, advancing 0.3 percent after declining 0.4 percent in October. The index for gasoline prices, which declined 1.4 percent in October, rose 0.3 percent in November. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices declined 0.1 percent.) During the past 12 months, gasoline prices have risen 21.6 percent. The index for new vehicles turned up in November, advancing 0.1 percent, following declines in each of the three preceding months. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, new vehicle prices rose 0.8 percent.) As of November, about 48 percent of the new vehicle sample was represented by 2001 models; in November 1999 new models represented about 58 percent of the sample. The 2001 models will continue to be phased in, with appropriate adjustments for quality change, over the next several months as they replace old models at dealerships. (For a report on quality changes for the 2001 vehicles represented in the Producer Price Index sample, see news release USDL-00-331, dated November 9, 2000.) The index for used cars and trucks increased 0.9 percent in November. Public transportation costs rose 0.5 percent, reflecting a 0.7 percent increase in airline fares. Airline fares have risen 5.1 percent during the past 12 months.

The index for apparel fell 0.4 percent in November, its first decline in four months. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel prices declined 0.8 percent, reflecting the discounting of prices for women's wear.)

Medical care costs rose 0.2 percent in November to a level 4.3 percent higher than a year ago. In November, the index for medical care commodities--prescription and nonprescription drugs and medical supplies-- rose 0.3 percent. The index for medical care services rose 0.1 percent. Charges for professional services and for hospital and related services increased 0.1 and 0.4 percent, respectively.

The index for recreation costs, which was unchanged in October, declined 0.1 percent in November. Price declines for toys, sporting goods, and video and audio equipment were largely offset by price increases for books, photography, and cable television.

The index for education and communication declined 0.2 percent in November. Educational costs rose 0.4 percent, while the index for communication declined 0.9 percent. Within the communication group, the indexes for telephone services and for personal computers and peripheral equipment fell 0.8 and 2.6 percent, respectively.

The index for other goods and services, which declined 0.6 percent in October, increased 1.2 percent in November. Cigarette prices, which fell 2.8 percent in October, increased 3.7 percent in November, accounting for the upturn in this major group.

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 0.2 percent in November.

Consumer Price Index data for December are scheduled for release on Wednesday, January 17, 2001, at 8:30 A.M. (EST). Releases for the remainder of 2001:

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