February 2010 Consumer Price Index

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On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.1 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The unchanged all items index was the result of a decline in the energy index being offset by slight increases in the indexes for food and for all items less food and energy. Within the latter group, declines in the indexes for apparel and household furnishings and operations were more than offset by continuing increases in the indexes for medical care and used cars and trucks. The 12-month increase in the index for all items less food and energy now stands at 1.3 percent, the lowest since February 2004.

The food index also edged up in February. The food at home index rose slightly, the net result of the major grocery store food group indexes posting a mix of modest increases and decreases. In contrast, the energy index declined in February. Decreases in the indexes for gasoline, electricity, and fuel oil more than offset an increase in the index for natural gas.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. ended 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 Feb. 2010

Consumer Price Index Data for February 2010

Food

The food index rose 0.1 percent in February after increasing 0.2 percent in January. The indexes for food away from home and food at home both rose 0.1 percent. Within the latter group, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs posted the largest increase among major grocery store food groups, rising 0.4 percent as the indexes for pork and for eggs both rose 2.6 percent. The index for other food at home rose 0.2 percent, and the index for cereals and bakery products was unchanged. The indexes for fruits and vegetables and for dairy and related products both decreased 0.1 percent in February after rising in January, and the nonalcoholic beverages index fell 0.4 percent. Over the last 12 months, the food index declined 0.2 percent, with the index for food away from home rising 1.4 percent but the food at home index falling 1.5 percent.

Energy

After rising 2.8 percent in January, the energy index declined 0.5 percent in February, the first decrease since April 2009. The decline was the result of a decrease in the gasoline index, which fell 1.4 percent. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 2.8 percent in February.) The index for household energy rose 0.4 percent in February due to an increase in the index for natural gas, which rose 3.9 percent in February after increasing 3.5 percent in January. This more than offset declines in the fuel oil index, which fell 2.4 percent, and the electricity index, which fell 0.5 percent, its third consecutive decrease. Over the last 12 months the energy index has risen 14.4 percent with the gasoline index up 36.8 percent but the index for household energy down 3.0 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy, which declined 0.1 percent in January, increased 0.1 percent in February. The medical care index rose in February, increasing 0.5 percent for the second straight month. The index for medical care services increased 0.4 percent and the medical care commodities index rose 0.8 percent with the prescription drug index up 0.6 percent. The index for used cars and trucks continued to rise, increasing 0.7 percent in February, while the index for new vehicles rose 0.1 percent. The shelter index, which declined in January, was unchanged in February, as both rent and owners' equivalent rent were unchanged. The apparel index decreased 0.7 percent, as did the index for airline fares. The index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.4 percent, and the index for recreation fell 0.1 percent.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 216.741 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 212.544 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.2 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-2008 period are subject to revision.

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