August 2009 Consumer Price Index

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On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The index has decreased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months on a not seasonally adjusted basis.

The 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted increase in the CPI-U was driven by a 9.1 percent rise in the gasoline index. This increase accounted for almost the entire advance in the energy index and over 80 percent of the overall increase. Despite the August increase, the gasoline index has fallen 30.0 percent over the last 12 months.

The indexes for food and for all items less food and energy both posted slight increases in August. The food index rose 0.1 percent following a 0.3 percent decline in July. The food at home index, which fell 0.5 percent in July, was unchanged in August. Of the six major grocery store food group indexes, three rose in August and three declined. The index for all items less food and energy also rose 0.1 percent in August, the second consecutive such increase. Increases in the indexes for used cars and trucks, medical care, public transportation and lodging away from home offset a decline in the new vehicle index. The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months, the smallest 12-month increase in the index since February 2004.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. ended 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Aug. 2009

Consumer Price Index Data for August 2009

Energy

The energy index rose 4.6 percent in August after falling 0.4 percent in July. The energy commodities index rose 8.5 percent as the gasoline index rose 9.1 percent in August following a 0.8 percent decline in July. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 3.3 percent in August.) The index for energy services was unchanged in August, with a 0.1 percent decline in the electricity index offsetting a 0.4 percent increase in the index for natural gas. Over the past 12 months, the energy index has fallen 23.0 percent, with the gasoline index falling 30.0 percent, the index for natural gas declining 32.7 percent, and the electricity index decreasing 1.2 percent.

Food

The food index rose 0.1 percent in August, with the index for food away from home rising 0.1 percent and the food at home index unchanged. Within the latter group, the index for fruits and vegetables fell 0.7 percent in August following a 0.3 percent decline in July. The index for dairy and related products fell 0.4 percent in August, its ninth consecutive decline, and the index for cereals and bakery products decreased 0.1 percent. Offsetting these declines were increases of 0.4 percent in the indexes for meats, poultry, fish and eggs and for nonalcoholic beverages and a 0.2 percent increase in the index for other food at home. The food at home index has declined 2.5 percent since its November 2008 peak. Over the past 12 months, the food index has risen 0.4 percent, with the food away from home index rising 3.0 percent and the food at home index declining 1.6 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in August, the same increase as in July. Advances in the indexes for used cars and public transportation contributed to the increase. The used cars and trucks index, which was unchanged in July, rose 1.9 percent in August. The public transportation index rose 1.3 percent in August as the airline fares index rose 1.7 percent. Also contributing was an upturn in the lodging away from home index, which rose 0.5 percent in August after declining 2.1 percent in July. This increase drove an upturn in the shelter index, which rose 0.1 percent in August after a 0.2 percent decline in July. The rent index was unchanged and the index for owners' equivalent rent increased 0.1 percent. The medical care index rose 0.3 percent in August after a 0.2 percent increase in July, and the index for recreation edged up 0.1 percent. In contrast to these increases, the index for new vehicles fell 1.3 percent in August, partly due to "cash for clunkers" incentives. Also declining in August were the indexes for apparel, which fell 0.1 percent, and communication, which declined 0.2 percent.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 215.834 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 1.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 211.156 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) decreased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2007 period are subject to revision.

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