November 2011 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged 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 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The energy index declined for the second month in a row and offset increases in the indexes for food and all items less food and energy. As in October, the gasoline index fell sharply and the index for household energy declined as well. The food index rose slightly in November, though the index for food at home declined as four of the six major grocery store food group indexes fell.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in November following increases of 0.1 percent in each of the prior two months. The indexes for shelter, medical care, apparel, and personal care all rose. These increases more than offset declines in the indexes for new vehicles and used cars and trucks.

The all items index has risen 3.4 percent over the last 12 months. This is a slightly smaller increase than last month's 3.5 percent figure, as the 12-month change in the energy index declined from 14.2 percent to 12.4 percent. The 12-month change in the food index also declined slightly, from 4.7 percent to 4.6 percent. In contrast, the 12-month change in the index for all items less food and energy continued to rise, reaching 2.2 percent in November.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. ended 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 Nov. 2011

Consumer Price Index Data for November 2011

Food

The food index rose 0.1 percent in November, the same increase as in October. The index for food at home, however, declined for the first time since June 2010, falling 0.1 percent. The fruits and vegetables index, which fell 1.7 percent in October, declined 0.6 percent in November, as both the fresh fruits and fresh vegetables indexes continued to decline. The index for dairy and related products fell 0.3 percent in November while the indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs and for other food at home both decreased 0.1 percent. The only major grocery store food groups to post increases were cereal and bakery products, which rose 0.3 percent, and nonalcoholic beverages, which increased 0.2 percent. Despite the November decrease, the index for food at home has risen 5.9 percent over the past year with all six major grocery store food groups up at least 4.4 percent. The index for food away from home increased 0.3 percent in November after rising 0.2 percent in October and has risen 2.9 percent over the past year.

Energy

The energy index, which fell 2.0 percent in October, declined 1.6 percent in November as gasoline prices continued to fall. The gasoline index decreased 2.4 percent in November following a 3.1 percent decline in October. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 1.1 percent in November.) The household energy index declined in November as well, falling 0.4 percent. A 4.4 percent decline in the index for natural gas more than offset a 2.7 percent increase in the fuel oil index and a 0.4 percent rise in the index for electricity. Energy indexes are still mostly up over the past year despite the November declines. The gasoline index has increased 19.7 percent, while the household energy index has risen 3.1 percent with the fuel oil index up 25.0 percent, the electricity index up 2.7 percent, but the natural gas index down 1.3 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in November, the largest increase since August. As was the case last month, increases in the indexes for shelter, medical care, and apparel accounted for most of the increase. The shelter index rose 0.2 percent, the same increase as in October, as the rent index rose 0.2 percent and the index for owners' equivalent rent increased 0.1 percent. The index for medical care, which rose 0.5 percent in October, rose 0.4 percent in November with the medical care services index repeating its October increase of 0.5 percent. The apparel index increased 0.6 percent in November following a 0.4 percent increase in October and has now risen in seven of the last eight months. The index for personal care rose notably in November, increasing 0.6 percent, while the tobacco and recreation indexes both posted slight increases. In contrast, the new vehicles index fell 0.3 percent and the index for used cars and trucks declined 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy has increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months, the largest such increase since 2008. The 12-month change in the shelter index has been steadily increasing and reached 1.8 percent in November. The 12-month change in the medical care index was 3.4 percent, its highest level in over a year, while the apparel index has risen 4.8 percent over the last 12 months, the largest figure since 1991.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 226.230 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 222.813 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 3.2 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index declined 0.1 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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