September 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 0.2 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The energy index rose 0.8 percent in September and accounted for about half of the seasonally adjusted all items increase. All the major energy component indexes rose in September. The food index was unchanged, with declines in the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for nonalcoholic beverages offsetting increases in other indexes.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in September, the same increase as in August. The shelter and medical care indexes also advanced and accounted for most of this increase. The indexes for new vehicles and for airline fares rose as well, while the apparel and recreation indexes declined.

The all items index increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months; this was the smallest 12-month increase since April. The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.7 percent over the last year with the shelter and medical care indexes both up 2.4 percent. The food index has risen 1.4 percent, while the energy index has declined 3.1 percent.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. ended 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 Sep. 2013

Consumer Price Index Data for September 2013

Food

The food index was unchanged in September after rising in each of the three previous months. The index for food at home was unchanged, as declines in the indexes for fruits and vegetables and nonalcoholic beverages offset advances in the other major grocery store food group indexes. The fruits and vegetables index fell 0.9 percent in September after rising in July and August, as the fresh vegetables index fell 1.4 percent. The index for nonalcoholic beverages declined for the third month in a row, falling 0.2 percent. In contrast to these declines, the index for other food at home rose 0.4 percent in September after declining in August. The cereals and bakery products index rose 0.2 percent, while the indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs and for dairy and related products both increased 0.1 percent. The food at home index has increased 1.0 percent over the last 12 months. The fruits and vegetables index rose 3.0 percent, but the indexes for nonalcoholic beverages and for other food at home both declined over the span. The index for food away from home rose 0.1 percent in September, its smallest increase since February, and has risen 1.9 percent over the past 12 months.

Energy

The energy index rose 0.8 percent in September after declining in August. All the major energy component indexes increased in September. The gasoline index, which declined slightly in August, rose 0.8 percent. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 1.3 percent in September.) The fuel oil index rose 0.9 percent after increasing 1.2 percent in August. The index for natural gas turned up in September, rising 1.8 percent after falling 2.3 percent in August. Similarly, the electricity index increased 0.5 percent after falling 0.1 percent in August. Despite the September increase, the energy index has declined 3.1 percent over the past 12 months, with the gasoline index declining 7.5 percent but the electricity and natural gas indexes both increasing.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in September, the same increase as in August. The shelter index rose 0.2 percent for the fourth month in a row. The indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent both rose 0.2 percent while the index for lodging away from home fell 0.4 percent. The medical care index increased 0.3 percent in September after rising 0.6 percent in August. Within medical care, the hospital services index rose 0.7 percent, while the index for prescription drugs increased 0.2 percent. The new vehicles index rose 0.2 percent in September after being unchanged in August, while the index for airline fares increased 0.5 percent after declining in each of the three previous months. The index for tobacco rose slightly in September, while the indexes for used cars and trucks, for household furnishings and operations, and for personal care were all unchanged. The apparel index, which had risen four months in a row, fell 0.5 percent in September and the recreation index fell 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.7 percent for the 12 months ending September, a slightly smaller increase than the 1.8 percent figure for the 12 months ending August. Several components have exhibited very modest increases over the past 12 months, including apparel (0.8 percent), airline fares (0.8 percent), used cars and trucks (0.4 percent), and recreation (0.2 percent).

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 234.149 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.0 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 230.537 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.2 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.1 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2011 period are subject to revision.

Federal Government Shutdown

The release of these data occurs about 2 weeks later than originally scheduled because of the recent partial Federal government shutdown. Data collection for the estimates in this release had been completed prior to the shutdown in accordance with our normal schedule. However, the processing of estimates and the production of the Consumer Price Index news release were delayed due to the shutdown.

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.

Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) Annual Average Indexes Discontinued

The final revisions of the C-CPI-U indexes for 2012 will be available in February 2014. Annual average indexes for C-CPI-U series will not be published for time periods after 2012. (Monthly C-CPI-U indexes will continue to be published.) In February 2014, the annual average indexes for the final estimates for 2012 C-CPI-U series will be published in the public CPI database. Table 1CA will not be published.

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.