April 2006 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 0.9 percent in April, before seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The April level of 201.5 (1982-84=100) was 3.5 percent higher than in April 2005.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.0 percent in April, prior to seasonal adjustment. The April level of 197.2 (1982-84=100) was 3.7 percent higher than in April 2005.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent in April on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The April level of 116.8 (December 1999=100) was 3.1 percent higher than in April 2005. Please note that the indexes for the post-2004 period are subject to revision.

CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U advanced 0.6 percent in April, following a 0.4 percent rise in March. Energy costs, which increased 1.3 percent in March, advanced 3.9 percent in April. Within energy, the index for petroleum based energy increased 8.5 percent, while the index for energy services fell 1.5 percent. The food index was unchanged in April, as a 0.2 percent decline in the index for food at home was offset by a 0.2 percent increase in the index for food away from home. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in April, the same as in March; the index for shelter accounted for about one-half of the April increase with the indexes for apparel, for medical care, and for education and communication each accounting for about 10 percent of the April advance.

During the first four months of 2006, the CPI-U rose at a 5.1 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 3.4 percent for all of 2005. The index for energy, which rose 17.1 percent in 2005, advanced at a 30.1 percent SAAR in the first four months of 2006. Petroleum-based energy costs increased at a 61.5 percent annual rate and charges for energy services rose at a 0.5 percent annual rate. The food index has increased at a 1.9 percent SAAR thus far this year, following a 2.3 percent rise for all of 2005. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U advanced at a 3.0 percent SAAR in the first four months, following a 2.2 percent rise for all of 2005.

The food and beverages index was unchanged in April. The index for food at home declined for the third consecutive month--down 0.2 percent in April. Declines in five of the six major grocery store food groups were partially offset by a 0.2 percent increase in the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs. Within this group, increases in the indexes for pork, for other meats, and for fish and seafood were partially offset by declines in the prices for beef and for poultry. The indexes for dairy products and for nonalcoholic beverages registered the largest decreases-- down 0.7 percent. Within the index for dairy products, prices for milk and cheese each declined. A 1.9 percent drop in prices for carbonated drinks accounted for most of the decline in the index for nonalcoholic beverages. The indexes for cereal and bakery products and other food at home each declined 0.2 percent. The index for fruits and vegetables declined 0.1 percent. The indexes for fresh fruits and for processed fruits and vegetables decreased 1.7 and 0.2 percent, respectively, more than offsetting a 1.7 percent increase in the index for fresh vegetables. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, fresh vegetable prices declined 1.0 percent.) The other two components of the food and beverages index--food away from home and alcoholic beverages--increased 0.2 percent and were unchanged, respectively.

The index for housing, which rose 0.2 percent in March, increased 0.1 percent in April. The index for shelter increased 0.3 percent in April, following increases of 0.4 percent in both February and March. Within shelter, the indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent increased 0.3 and 0.4 percent, respectively, while the index for lodging away from home was unchanged. The index for fuels and utilities declined for the third consecutive month--down 0.9 percent in April. A sharp decline in the index for natural gas more than offset increases in prices for fuel oil and for electricity. The index for natural gas declined 5.2 percent in April and has fallen 13.4 percent in the last three months. The index for fuel oil, which had declined in each of the six preceding months, rose 5.2 percent in April. The index for electricity rose 0.3 percent. During the last 12 months, charges for electricity and for natural gas have increased 14.8 and 11.0 percent, respectively, and fuel oil prices have risen 20.2 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations, which increased 0.1 percent in March, was unchanged in April.

The transportation index advanced 2.4 percent in April, reflecting an 8.8 percent increase in the index for motor fuel. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 14.5 percent in April.) The index for new vehicles declined 0.1 percent in April and was 0.3 percent lower than a year ago. The index for used cars and trucks increased 0.3 percent in April and was 1.7 percent higher than in April 2005. The index for public transportation increased 0.2 percent in April. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, the index for public transportation rose 1.2 percent, reflecting another increase in airline fares.) Airline fares increased 1.6 percent in April and have advanced 5.1 percent in the first four months of the year.

The index for apparel rose 0.6 percent in April, following a 1.0 percent increase in March. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel prices rose 1.1 percent.)

Medical care costs rose 0.4 percent in April and are 4.1 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. The indexes for professional services and for hospital and related services increased 0.1 and 0.8 percent, respectively. . The index for recreation rose 0.3 percent in April, following a 0.4 percent increase in March. The index for cable and satellite television and radio service, which rose 1.3 percent in March, increased 0.8 percent in April and accounted for over one-half of the April recreation advance. The indexes for sporting goods and for pets, pet products and services increased 1.3 and 1.0 percent, respectively.

The index for education and communication rose 0.3 percent in April. Educational costs increased 0.5 percent and the index for communication rose 0.1 percent. Within the latter group, the index for telephone services rose 0.4 percent, reflecting increases in both local and long distance land-line telephone charges. Partially offsetting this increase, the index for personal computers and peripheral equipment declined 2.6 percent.

The index for other goods and services was unchanged in April. A 0.2 percent decline in the index for tobacco and smoking products was offset by a small increase in the index for miscellaneous personal services.

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 0.6 percent in April.

Consumer Price Index data for May are scheduled for release on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).

CPI (Old Weights)

For the first six months of 2006, BLS also will calculate Old Weights CPI-U and Old Weights CPI-W based on the 2001-02 expenditure pattern used in the CPI from 2004 through 2005. These Old Weight data are contained in tables 1(OW)-4(OW). From March to April, the Old Weight CPI-U rose 0.9 percent and the Old Weight CPI-W rose 1.0 percent. Note these series are not seasonally adjusted.

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Information from this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200, Federal Relay Services: 1-800-877-8339. For a recorded message of Summary CPI data, call (202) 691-5200.