November 2010 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.1 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The indexes for food, energy, and all items less food and energy all increased slightly in November. The index for food at home rose in November after being unchanged in October, with the indexes for eggs and nonalcoholic beverages both rising notably. Although the index for gasoline rose, the index for household energy declined and the increase in the energy index was the smallest in five months.

The index for all items less food and energy rose in November after being unchanged the previous three months. Increases in the indexes for shelter and airline fares accounted for most of the rise, while the indexes for new vehicles, used cars and trucks, and household furnishings and operations all declined.

Over the last 12 months, the index for all items less food and energy has risen 0.8 percent. The energy index has risen 3.9 percent over that span with the gasoline index up 7.3 percent but the household energy index down 0.2 percent. The food index has risen 1.5 percent, with the food at home index up 1.7 percent.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. ended 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 Nov. 2010

Consumer Price Index Data for November 2010

Food

The food index rose 0.2 percent in November after a 0.1 percent increase in October. The index for food away from home rose 0.1 percent while the food at home index rose 0.3 percent. Among the six major grocery store food groups that comprise the food at home index, the index for nonalcoholic beverages posted the largest increase, at 0.8 percent. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.5 percent, due mostly to a 6.6 percent increase in the index for eggs. The index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.4 percent, and the index for other food at home advanced 0.1 percent. The index for dairy and related products, which rose 1.1 percent in October, was unchanged in November. The only major grocery store food group index to decline in November was fruits and vegetables, which fell 0.2 percent after a 0.7 percent decline in October. Within that group, the index for fresh fruits rose 2.0 percent but the fresh vegetables index fell 2.0 percent. Over the past year, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs has risen 5.8 percent and the dairy and related products index has increased 3.8 percent. The other grocery store food groups posted much smaller changes.

Energy

The energy index rose 0.2 percent in November after a 2.6 percent increase in October. The gasoline index, which rose 4.6 percent in October, increased 0.7 percent in November. This was its fifth consecutive monthly increase, but the smallest of the five. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 2.0 percent in November.) In contrast, the index for household energy declined in November, falling 0.4 percent. The index for natural gas fell 5.7 percent and more than offset a 0.9 percent increase in the index for electricity and a 4.2 percent increase in the index for fuel oil. The natural gas index has declined 4.8 percent over the past year, though the other energy components have increased.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in November, its first increase since July. The index for shelter rose 0.1 percent in November, the same increase as the previous month. The rent index rose 0.2 percent, its largest increase since March 2009, while the index for owners' equivalent rent rose 0.1 percent and the lodging away from home index declined 1.2 percent. The index for airline fares increased 3.0 percent in November, its largest increase in over two years. The medical care index rose 0.1 percent in November, the same increase as in October, with the indexes for medical care commodities rising 0.2 percent and the medical care services index increasing 0.1 percent. Several indexes turned up in November after declining in recent months. The index for personal care rose 0.5 percent in November following a 0.3 percent decrease in October, and the apparel index rose 0.2 percent after declining in each of the three previous months. Partially offsetting these increases were declines in the index for new vehicles, which fell 0.4 percent in November, and used cars and trucks, which fell 0.5 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations also declined, falling 0.2 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.8 percent over the last 12 months. The shelter index has gone up 0.2 percent over that time period, the medical care index has risen 3.2 percent, and the index for used cars and trucks has increased 6.0 percent. In contrast, the indexes for household furnishings and operations has declined, falling 2.5 percent, and the new vehicles index has fallen 0.4 percent. The apparel and recreation indexes have decreased as well, falling 0.8 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 218.803 (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 1.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 214.750 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.0 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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