March 2010 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) increased 0.1 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.3 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index was mostly due to an increase in the fresh fruits and vegetables index, which rose 4.6 percent in March and accounted for over 60 percent of the all items increase. Other food at home indexes were mixed and the index for food away from home was unchanged.

The index for energy and for all items less food and energy were both unchanged in March. Within energy, an increase in the electricity index was offset by declines in the indexes for gasoline and natural gas. Within all items less food and energy, the indexes for medical care, new vehicles, and used cars and trucks posted increases, while the indexes for shelter, household furnishings and operations, and apparel declined.

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

Consumer Price Index Data for March 2010

Food

The food index rose 0.2 percent in March after rising 0.1 percent in February. The index for food away from home, which had increased every month since January 2003, was unchanged in March. In contrast, the index for food at home rose 0.5 percent, its largest increase since September 2008. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 3.4 percent due to the sharp rise in the fresh fruits and vegetables index. Other grocery store food groups registered only small changes in March. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index increased 0.2 percent, while the indexes for dairy and related products and for nonalcoholic beverages were unchanged and the indexes for cereals and bakery products and for other food at home declined slightly. The food index has risen 0.2 percent over the last 12 months, with the food at home index still down 0.7 percent over that period despite the March increase.

Energy

The energy index, which fell 0.5 percent in February, was unchanged in March. The gasoline index declined for the second straight month, falling 0.8 percent. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 4.5 percent in March and have increased 41.4 percent over the past 12 months.) The index for household energy rose in March, increasing 1.3 percent mostly because of a 2.1 percent rise in the electricity index. The fuel oil index rose 0.7 percent, but the index for natural gas declined 0.7 percent. Over the last 12 months the energy index has risen 18.3 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in March after rising 0.1 percent in February. The shelter index declined in March, falling 0.1 percent due to a 0.1 percent decline in owners' equivalent rent. The index for household furnishings and operations fell 0.4 percent in March, its ninth decline in the past 10 months. The index for apparel fell 0.4 percent and the recreation index declined 0.1 percent. In contrast to these declines, the medical care index rose 0.3 percent in March with the index for hospital services increasing 1.1 percent. The index for used cars and trucks continued to rise, increasing 0.5 percent, and the new vehicles index rose 0.1 percent. Over the last 12 months the index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.1 percent, its smallest increase since January 2004. This is largely explained by the continued deceleration of the shelter index, which has now fallen 0.6 percent over the last 12 months.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 217.631 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.4 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.0 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 213.525 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.5 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.5 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.4 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2008 period are subject to revision.

Facilities for Sensory Impaired

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.