April 2004 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 0.3 percent in April, before seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The April level of 188.0 (1982-84=100) was 2.3 percent higher than in April 2003.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) also increased 0.3 percent in April, prior to seasonal adjustment. The April level of 183.5 was 2.1 percent higher than in April 2003.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in April on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The April level of 109.7 (December 1999=100) was 1.9 percent higher than in April 2003. Please note that the indexes for the post-2002 period are subject to revision.

CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent in April, following a 0.5 percent increase in March. Energy costs, which advanced sharply in each of the first three months of the year, increased 0.1 percent in April. Within energy, the index for energy services increased 0.5 percent, while the index for petroleum-based energy decreased 0.3 percent. The index for food rose 0.2 percent in April, the same as in each of the preceding two months. The index for all items less food and energy, which increased 0.4 percent in March, advanced 0.3 percent in April. The index for apparel, which rose 0.9 percent in March, was unchanged in April. The index for lodging while away from home increased 1.6 percent in April, following a 3.8 percent rise in March.

During the first four months of 2004, the CPI-U rose at a 4.4 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 1.9 percent for all of 2003. The index for energy, which increased 6.9 percent in 2003, increased at a 28.3 percent SAAR in the first four months of 2004. Petroleum-based energy costs increased at a 55.8 percent annual rate and charges for energy services rose at a 4.8 percent annual rate. The food index has increased at a 1.5 percent SAAR thus far this year, following a 3.6 percent rise for all of 2003. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U advanced at a 3.0 percent SAAR in the first four months, following a 1.1 percent rise in all of 2003.

The food and beverages index increased 0.2 percent in April. The index for food at home, which rose 0.2 percent in March, increased 0.1 percent in April. The index for dairy products rose 1.6 percent in April, reflecting sharp increases in prices for milk and for cheese. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased 0.2 percent. The index for beef and veal, which declined sharply in each of the first three months of 2004 after advancing 23.5 percent in all of 2003, turned back up in April, advancing 0.8 percent. The index for other food at home increased 0.1 percent in April. Partially offsetting these increases were declines in the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for nonalcoholic beverages, each down 0.6 percent. Declines in the indexes for fresh vegetables and for processed fruits and vegetables--down 1.9 and 0.6 percent, respectively-- more than offset a 0.9 percent increase in the index for fresh fruits. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, fresh vegetable prices fell 3.7 percent, while fresh fruit prices rose 2.3 percent.) The index for cereals and bakery products was virtually unchanged in April. The other two components of the food and beverage index--food away from home and alcoholic beverages--increased 0.2 and 0.5 percent, respectively.

The index for housing rose 0.4 percent in April. Shelter costs, which rose 0.6 percent in March, increased 0.5 percent in April. The index for lodging away from home rose 1.6 percent, following a 3.8 percent rise in March. The indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent increased 0.3 and 0.4 percent, respectively. The index for fuels and utilities, which declined 1.1 percent in March, rose 0.5 percent in April. The indexes for each of the three major household fuels turned up in April-- the index for fuel oil increased 0.1 percent and the indexes for natural gas and for electricity each rose 0.5 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.2 percent in April, the same as in March.

The transportation index increased 0.1 percent in April, following a 1.1 percent increase in March. The index for gasoline, which rose 5.5 percent in March, declined 0.3 percent in April. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 3.7 percent and registered a new peak level.) The index for new vehicles declined 0.1 percent in April, the same as in March. During the last 12 months, new vehicle prices have fallen 0.8 percent. The index for used cars and trucks registered their third consecutive increase--up 0.1 percent in April--but during the last 12 months this index has declined 11.5 percent. Airline fares registered their fourth consecutive advance, up 1.0 percent in April, and are 0.6 percent higher than a year ago.

The index for apparel was unchanged in April, following a 0.9 percent increase in March. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel prices rose 0.6 percent, reflecting the continued introduction of spring-summer wear.)

Medical care costs rose 0.4 percent in April to a level 4.7 percent higher than a year ago. The index for medical care commodities-- prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.4 percent. The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent in April. Charges for physician's services and for hospital and related services increased 0.2 and 0.3 percent, respectively.

The index for recreation rose 0.2 percent in April. Increases in the indexes for cable and satellite television and radio service and for pets, pet products and services--up 1.0 and 1.1 percent, respectively--were partially offset by declines in the indexes for club membership dues and for photography--down 1.5 and 1.0 percent, respectively.

The index for education and communication increased 0.3 percent in April. The education index rose 0.6 percent, while the index for communication costs was unchanged. Within the latter group, the index for telephone services decreased 0.2 percent. The indexes for personal computers and peripheral equipment and for computer software and accessories turned up in April, each advancing 0.6 percent.

The index for other goods and services rose 0.1 percent in April. Increases in the indexes for financial services, for legal services, and for funeral expenses--up 0.8, 0.3, and 0.4 percent, respectively--more than offset a 0.1 percent decline in the index for tobacco and smoking products.

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

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increased 0.2 percent in April.

Consumer Price Index data for May are scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).

CPI (Old Weights)

For the first six months of 2004, BLS also will calculate Old Weights CPI-U and Old Weights CPI-W based on the 1999-2000 expenditure pattern used in the CPI from 2002 through 2003. These Old Weight data are contained in tables 1(OW)-4(OW). From March to April, the Old Weight CPI-U rose 0.3 percent and the Old Weight CPI-W rose 0.3 percent. Note these series are not seasonally adjusted.

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