June 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 0.5 percent in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.8 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index rose sharply in June and accounted for about two thirds of the seasonally adjusted all items change. Other energy indexes were mixed, with the electricity index rising, but the indexes for natural gas and fuel oil declining. The food index increased in June as the index for food at home turned up after declining in May.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in June, the same increase as in May. Advances in the indexes for shelter, medical care, and apparel accounted for most of the rise, with increases in the indexes for new vehicles and household furnishings and operations also contributing. The indexes for airline fares, used cars and trucks, and recreation all declined in June.

The all items index increased 1.8 percent over the last 12 months, an increase from last month's 1.4 percent figure. The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.6 percent over the last year, the smallest 12-month change since June 2011. The energy index has risen 3.2 percent over the span, and the food index has increased 1.4 percent.

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

Consumer Price Index Data for June 2013

Food

The food index increased 0.2 percent in June after declining 0.1 percent in May. The food at home index, which fell 0.3 percent in May, increased 0.2 percent in June. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes posted increases. The indexes for cereals and bakery products and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs both increased 0.4 percent. The indexes for nonalcoholic beverages and for other food at home each increased 0.2 percent in June after declining in May. In contrast to these increases, the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for dairy and related products both declined slightly in June, falling 0.1 percent. Over the last 12 months, the index for food at home has risen 0.9 percent, with all the major food group indexes increasing except nonalcoholic beverages, which declined 0.9 percent. The index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent in June, the same increase as in May, and has increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months.

Energy

The energy index rose 3.4 percent in June after increasing 0.4 percent in May. The gasoline index, which was unchanged in May, rose 6.3 percent in June and accounted for almost all of the energy increase. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 0.6 percent in June.) The electricity index also increased in June, rising 0.2 percent. However, the fuel oil index fell 0.5 percent, its fourth consecutive decline, and the index for natural gas decreased 0.4 percent, ending a streak of four consecutive increases. All the major energy component indexes have increased over the past 12 months. The index for natural gas rose 11.7 percent while the gasoline index increased 2.8 percent. The indexes for electricity and fuel oil rose more modestly, increasing 1.9 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in June. The shelter index, which rose 0.3 percent in May, increased 0.2 percent in June. The indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent both increased 0.2 percent. The index for medical care, which declined in May, increased 0.4 percent in June, its largest increase since last July. The index for medical care commodities, which declined 0.5 percent in May, rose 0.5 percent in June as the prescription drug index turned up. The index for medical care services rose 0.4 percent in June after being unchanged in May. The apparel index increased 0.9 percent in June, its largest increase since August 2011. The index for new vehicles, unchanged in May, rose 0.3 percent in June. The indexes for household furnishings and operations, personal care, and tobacco also increased in June. In contrast to these increases, the index for airline fares declined in June, falling 1.7 percent after rising 2.2 percent in May. The index for used cars and trucks fell for the second month in a row, declining 0.4 percent. The recreation index also declined, falling 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.6 percent for the 12 months ending June. The shelter index increased 2.3 percent over that span, the index for medical care rose 2.1 percent, and the new vehicles index rose 1.2 percent. The index for used cars and trucks was one of the few to decline over the last 12 months, falling 2.3 percent.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 233.504 (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 1.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 230.002 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.6 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.