April 2015 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index declined 0.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in April and led to the slight increase in the seasonally adjusted all items index. The index for shelter rose, as did the indexes for medical care, household furnishings and operations, used cars and trucks, and new vehicles. In contrast, the indexes for apparel and airline fares declined in April.

The energy index declined in April, while the food index was unchanged. The indexes for gasoline, natural gas, and fuel oil all declined, while the electricity index was unchanged. The food at home index declined for the second month in a row, offsetting an increase in the index for food away from home. Major grocery store food group indexes were mixed.

The all items index declined 0.2 percent for the 12 months ending April. This represented a slightly larger decrease than the 0.1-percent decline for the 12 months ending March. The decline was driven by the energy index, which fell 19.4 percent over the last 12 months, with all the major components declining except electricity. The food index rose 2.0 percent over the last year, and the index for all items less food and energy rose 1.8 percent.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. ended 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 Apr. 2015

Consumer Price Index Data for April 2015

Food

The food index was unchanged in April after a 0.2-percent decline in March. The food at home index, which declined 0.5 percent in March, fell 0.2 percent in April. The index for dairy and related products posted the largest decline of the major grocery store food groups, falling 0.8 percent, its fourth consecutive decrease. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs fell 0.7 percent, with the beef index rising for the fifteenth month in a row but the indexes for pork, poultry, and eggs all declining. The index for cereals and bakery products also declined in April, falling 0.3 percent. In contrast, the index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 0.5 percent in April after declining in March. The index for fruits and vegetables also turned up in April, rising 0.2 percent after falling in each of the previous 3 months. The index for other food at home also increased slightly, rising 0.1 percent. The index for food at home has increased 1.3 percent for the 12 months ending April; this is the smallest 12-month increase since the year ending February 2014. The index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent in April and has risen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months.

Energy

The energy index declined 1.3 percent in April after rising in February and March. The gasoline index, which rose 3.9 percent in March, fell 1.7 percent in April. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices were unchanged in April.) The index for fuel oil fell sharply in April, declining 8.4 percent. The index for natural gas also fell; its 2.6-percent decrease was its fourth decline in a row. The electricity index, which declined in March, was unchanged in April. The electricity index has increased 3.8 percent over the last 12 months, but the other energy indexes have sharply declined over the last year. The gasoline index has fallen 31.7 percent, the fuel oil index has decreased 29.1 percent, and the index for natural gas has declined 16.3 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.3 percent in April, its largest increase since January 2013. The shelter index increased 0.3 percent, the same increase as in March. The indexes for rent, owners' equivalent rent, and lodging away from home all rose 0.3 percent. The medical care index rose 0.7 percent, its largest increase since January 2007. The index for medical care services rose 0.9 percent with the hospital services index rising 1.9 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations rose 0.5 percent, its largest increase since September 2008. The index for used cars and trucks increased 0.6 percent, and the new vehicles index rose 0.1 percent. The indexes for alcoholic beverages and for tobacco were both unchanged in April. The apparel index declined for the first time since December, falling 0.3 percent. The index for airline fares continued to decline, falling 1.3 percent after a 1.7-percent decline in March.

The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.8 percent over the past 12 months, the same increase as for the 12 months ending March. This is slightly below its 1.9-percent annualized increase over the past 10 years. The shelter index has risen 3.0 percent over the last year, and the medical care index has advanced 2.9 percent. The index for airline fares fell 7.5 percent over the last year, and the indexes for apparel and for used cars and trucks have also declined.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 236.599 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 231.520 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) decreased 0.6 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index rose 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.

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