May 2013 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.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 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 1.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The shelter index rose 0.3 percent and accounted for more than half of the seasonally adjusted all items increase in May. The energy index rose modestly, with the gasoline index flat but increases in the electricity and natural gas indexes accounting for the rise. The food index, however, turned down in May, with the food at home index falling 0.3 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in May. Besides the shelter increase, advances in the indexes for airline fares, recreation, and apparel also contributed to the rise. In contrast, the indexes for medical care and used cars and trucks declined in May.

The all items index increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months, an increase from last month's 1.1 percent figure. The 12-month change in the index for all items less food and energy remained at 1.7 percent. The food index has risen modestly over the last 12 months, advancing 1.4 percent, while the index for energy has declined, falling 1.0 percent.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May 12-mos. 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 ended May 2013

Consumer Price Index Data for May 2013

Food

The food index fell 0.1 percent in May after rising 0.2 percent in April. The index for food at home fell 0.3 percent, its largest decline since July 2009. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes posted declines, led by nonalcoholic beverages, which fell 1.1 percent. The index for dairy and related products decreased 0.8 percent, its third decline in the last four months. The indexes for cereals and bakery products and other food at home both turned down in May, falling 0.4 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which increased in April, was unchanged in May. The only grocery store food group index to rise was fruits and vegetables, which increased 0.4 percent in May after a 1.4 percent decline in April. The food at home index has increased 0.8 percent over the past year; the fruits and vegetables index has risen the most of the six groups over that span, increasing 2.1 percent. The index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent in May and has risen 2.3 percent over the past year.

Energy

The energy index rose in May, increasing 0.4 percent after substantial declines in March and April. The gasoline index, which declined sharply the previous two months, was unchanged in May. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 0.8 percent in May.) The fuel oil index continued to fall; its 2.9 percent decrease in May was its third consecutive decline. However, other energy indexes rose. The electricity index, which increased 0.5 percent in April, rose 0.8 percent in May. The natural gas index rose 2.4 percent, its fourth consecutive increase. Over the last 12 months energy indexes are mixed, with the index for fuel oil falling 5.8 percent and the gasoline index down 4.1 percent, but the natural gas index rising 14.2 percent and the electricity index up 1.7 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in May after rising 0.1 percent in both March and April. The shelter index rose 0.3 percent in May, its largest increase since July 2011. The index for rent rose 0.3 percent and the index for owners' equivalent rent increased 0.2 percent. The index for lodging away from home rose 1.2 percent in May, its fifth consecutive increase. Besides shelter, several other indexes also increased in May. The index for airline fares rose 2.2 percent after declining in April. The indexes for apparel and recreation both rose 0.2 percent after declining in recent months. In contrast to these increases, the index for medical care declined in May, falling 0.1 percent. The index for medical care services was unchanged while the index for medical care commodities fell 0.5 percent, with the index for prescription drugs decreasing 0.6 percent. The index for used cars and trucks also declined, falling 0.1 percent after increasing in each of the first four months of the year. Several indexes were unchanged in May, including new vehicles, tobacco, and household furnishings and operations.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.7 percent for the 12 months ending May. The index for shelter has risen 2.3 percent over the last 12 months. The medical care index has risen 2.2 percent, its smallest 12-month increase since September 1972. The index for medical care services has increased 2.9 percent over the last year, while the index for medical care commodities was unchanged, with the prescription drug index down 0.1 percent over the span.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 232.945 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 229.399 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.3 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-2011 period are subject to revision.

Discontinuation of Department Store Inventory Indexes

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will discontinue publication of its Department Store Inventory indexes after the release of the December 2013 CPI in mid-January 2014, and these values will no longer be uploaded to the Labstat database. For further information please contact Sharon Gibson at 202-691-6968 or gibson.sharon@bls.gov.

Publication Changes for Average Price Series

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will discontinue publication of three average price series after the release of the June 2013 CPI in mid- July 2013. They are:

- utility (piped) gas, 40 therms; - utility (piped) gas, 100 therms; and - electricity, 500 kilowatt hours.

The Bureau will, however, continue to publish average prices for utility (piped) gas on a per therm basis, and will continue to publish electricity prices on a per kilowatt hour basis. As such, users will be able to convert these data to any consumption amount. CPI Detailed Report table P1. Average residential prices for utility (piped) gas, electricity, and fuel oil, U.S. city average and selected areas will no longer be published. Data for fuel oil #2, per gallon (3.785 liters) will continue to be available in the CPI Average Price Data public database.

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.