May 2011 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in May on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.6 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.3 percent in May, its largest increase since July 2008. The indexes for apparel, shelter, new vehicles, and recreation all contributed to the acceleration, rising more in May than in April. These increases more than offset declines in the indexes for airline fare, tobacco, and personal care.

The food index rose in May as well. The food at home index repeated its April increase of 0.5 percent as four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased, with the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rising the most. In contrast, the energy index, which had been rising sharply, declined in May. The gasoline index decreased for the first time since last June, although the index for household energy increased.

The upward trend among the 12 month increases of major indexes continued in May. The 12 month change in the all items index, which was 1.1 percent as recently as November, reached 3.6 percent in May. The energy index has increased 21.5 percent over the last 12 months, the food index has risen 3.5 percent and the index for all items less food and energy has increased 1.5 percent. All of these figures have been rising in recent months.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May 12-mos. 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 ended May 2011

Consumer Price Index Data for May 2011

Food

The food index rose 0.4 percent in May, the same increase as in April. The food at home index increased 0.5 percent and has risen 3.7 percent since December. Among major grocery store food groups, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 1.5 percent and the cereals and bakery products index increased 1.0 percent. The dairy and related products index and the index for other food at home posted smaller increases, while the index for nonalcoholic beverages was unchanged. The only group to decline was the fruits and vegetables index, which declined 1.3 percent as a sharp decline in the index for tomatoes caused the fresh vegetables index to fall for the second straight month after sharp increases early in the year. The food at home index has risen 4.4 percent over the last 12 months with all major grocery store food groups posting increases. The index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent in May after rising 0.3 percent in each of the previous two months.

Energy

The energy index declined 1.0 percent in May ending a series of ten consecutive advances. After a series of several sharp increases, the gasoline index declined 2.0 percent in May. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 3.6 percent in May.) Despite the May decline, the gasoline index has increased 23.7 percent over the past six months. The index for household energy increased in May, rising 0.5 percent after a 0.7 percent increase in April. The index for electricity rose 0.8 percent, more than offsetting a 0.8 percent decline in the fuel oil index and a 0.3 percent decrease in the index for natural gas. The household energy index has risen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months, with the fuel oil index up 36.0 percent and the electricity index up 1.8 percent but the index for natural gas down 1.2 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in May after increasing 0.1 percent in March and 0.2 percent in April. The shelter index rose 0.2 percent in May after increasing 0.1 percent in each of the seven previous months. Both rent and owners' equivalent rent rose 0.1 percent; the acceleration in shelter was due to the index for lodging away from home, which rose 2.9 percent in May after being unchanged in April. The apparel index increased in May, rising 1.2 percent after a 0.2 percent increase in April. The index for new vehicles rose 1.1 percent in May after increasing 0.7 percent in April; the index for used cars and trucks also rose 1.1 percent. The index for recreation, which was unchanged in April, rose 0.3 percent in May. The medical care index rose 0.2 percent, with the index for medical care commodities unchanged and the index for medical care services up 0.3 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations advanced 0.2 percent, the same increase as in April. In contrast to these increases, the index for airline fares fell 1.3 percent in May, and the indexes for tobacco and for personal care both declined 0.2 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months, with virtually all of its major component indexes rising at a faster rate over the past six months than they did from May to November of 2010.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 225.964 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.5 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 4.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 222.954 (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 3.3 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-2009 period are subject to revision.

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