November 2009 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.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months the index increased 1.8 percent before seasonal adjustment, the first positive 12-month change since February 2009.

The seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index was due to a 4.1 percent increase in the energy index. The index for gasoline rose sharply and the indexes for electricity, fuel oil, and natural gas also increased, creating the fourth consecutive rise in the energy index and the largest increase since August. In contrast, the index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in November, after ten consecutive monthly increases. Declines in shelter indexes offset increases in the indexes for new and used motor vehicles, medical care, airline fares, and tobacco.

The food index rose slightly in November. As in October, the food away from home index rose modestly while the index for food at home was unchanged. Within the latter, three grocery store food groups posted increases while three declined.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. ended 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Nov. 2009

Consumer Price Index Data for November 2009

Food

The food index rose 0.1 percent in November, the same increase as in October. The index for food away from home increased 0.2 percent while the food at home index was unchanged. Among the food at home groups, the dairy and related products index declined 0.7 percent in November after rising 1.0 percent in October, and the index for other food at home also declined in November following an October increase. In contrast, the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs both increased in November after declining in October. The index for nonalcoholic beverages fell for the second straight month, declining 0.3 percent in November, and the index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.1 percent in November after being unchanged in October. Over the past year, the food index has declined 0.7 percent. The food at home index has fallen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months, with five of the six grocery store food groups declining, but the index for food away from home has risen 2.1 percent.

Energy

The energy index rose 4.1 percent in November after increasing 1.5 percent in October. The index for energy commodities rose 6.3 percent, with the gasoline index increasing 6.4 percent. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 4.1 percent in November.) The rise in the gasoline index accounted for over three-quarters of the total energy increase. The remainder of the increase was due to advances in all of the other energy components. The index for fuel oil rose 9.0 percent in November following a 6.3 percent increase in October. The index for energy services increased 1.4 percent in November, with the electricity index rising 1.4 percent and the index for natural gas advancing 1.5 percent. The energy index has risen 7.4 percent over the past 12 months, with the gasoline index rising 23.6 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in November after rising 0.2 percent in October. The heavily weighted index for shelter, unchanged in October, declined 0.2 percent in November. Within the shelter group, the indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent both declined 0.1 percent and the lodging away from home index fell 1.5 percent. Also declining in November were the indexes for household furnishings and operations and for apparel, both down 0.3 percent. Several indexes posted increases to offset these declines. The new vehicles index rose 0.6 percent in November, its tenth increase in the last eleven months. The index for used cars and trucks advanced 2.0 percent in November and has now risen 11.1 percent since April. The index for airline fares rose 3.8 percent in November and has increased 13.3 percent since June. The medical care index increased 0.3 percent in November and the index for tobacco advanced 1.0 percent. Over the past 12 months, the index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.7 percent.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 216.330 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 212.003 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.6 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index was unchanged on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2007 period are subject to revision.

Expenditure Weight Update

Effective with the January 2010 release the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will update the consumption expenditure weights in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to the 2007-08 period. The updated expenditure weights for these indexes will replace the 2005-2006 weights that were introduced effective with the January 2008 CPI release. CPI expenditure weights will continue to be updated at two year intervals subsequent to the 2010 updating.

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