April 2010 Consumer Price Index

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On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined 0.1 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for energy decreased 1.4 percent in April and accounted for the seasonally adjusted decline in the all items index. The indexes for gasoline and natural gas both decreased significantly, outweighing increases in the indexes for fuel oil and electricity.

The food index increased 0.2 percent in April, while the index for all items less food and energy was unchanged. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose sharply in April and accounted for the food increase; other grocery store food groups were mixed and the index for food away from home rose slightly. Within all items less food and energy, the indexes for recreation, airline fares, and medical care all rose in April. Offsetting these increases were declines in the indexes for apparel and for household furnishings and operations. The continuing stability of the index for all items less food and energy has resulted in an increase over the last 12 months of 0.9 percent, the smallest 12-month increase since January 1966.

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

Consumer Price Index Data for April 2010

Food

The food index rose 0.2 percent in April, the same increase as in March. The April increase was due to an increase in the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which rose 1.4 percent in April and has now increased four months in a row. Other grocery store food group indexes were mixed. The index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 0.4 percent in April, while the index for other food at home was unchanged. The fruits and vegetables index, which rose 3.4 percent in March, declined 0.2 percent in April. The index for dairy and related products fell 0.8 percent and the cereals and bakery products index declined 0.3 percent. The index for food away from home, which was unchanged in March, rose 0.1 percent in April. For the past 12 months the food index has risen 0.5 percent, with the index for food at home unchanged and the index for food away from home up 1.1 percent.

Energy

The energy index declined 1.4 percent in April after being unchanged in March. The gasoline index, which fell 0.8 percent in March, declined 2.4 percent. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 2.9 percent in April.) Over the past 12 months, the gasoline index has increased 38.3 percent. The index for household energy declined in April, falling 0.4 percent after rising 1.3 percent in March. A 4.4 percent decline in the index for natural gas more than offset a 2.3 percent increase in the index for fuel oil and a 0.7 percent rise in the electricity index. Despite the April decline, over the last 12 months the energy index has risen 18.5 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in April, as it was in March. The shelter index and its major components of rent and owners' equivalent rent were all unchanged in April. The index for new vehicles was also unchanged. The index for airline fares increased sharply in April, rising 2.2 percent. The index for recreation rose 0.3 percent in April, the medical care index increased 0.2 percent, and the index for used cars and trucks rose 0.2 percent. In contrast, the apparel index fell 0.7 percent and the index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.5 percent. Over the last 12 months, the index for all items less food and energy has risen 0.9 percent. The shelter, apparel, and recreation indexes have all declined over that period.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 218.009 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 213.958 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.3 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-2008 period are subject to revision.

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