July 2015 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 July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 0.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The indexes for food, energy, and all items less food and energy all rose slightly in July. The food index rose 0.2 percent as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. The energy index rose 0.1 percent as an increase in the gasoline index more than offset declines in other energy component indexes.

The index for all items less food and energy also rose 0.1 percent in July. A 0.4-percent advance in the shelter index was the main contributor to the increase, though the indexes for medical care and apparel also rose. In contrast, the index for airline fares fell sharply, and the indexes for used cars and trucks, household furnishings and operations, and new vehicles all declined.

The all items index increased 0.2 percent for the 12 months ending July. The 12-month change has been rising since April. The index for all items less food and energy increased 1.8 percent for the 12 months ending July; this was the fourth time in 5 months the 12-month change was 1.8 percent. The food index increased 1.6 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index, however, continues to show a 12-month decline, falling 14.8 percent over the past year.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July ended 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 July 2015

Consumer Price Index Data for July 2015

Food

The food index, which rose 0.3 percent in June, increased 0.2 percent in July. The food at home index increased 0.3 percent, with all six major grocery store food group indexes rising modestly. The index for dairy and related products posted the largest increase, rising 0.8 percent and ending a series of six consecutive declines. The index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 0.4 percent, and the fruits and vegetables index rose 0.3 percent after declining in June. The index for fresh fruits rose 1.1 percent, while the fresh vegetables index declined 0.8 percent. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs advanced 0.2 percent as the beef index declined but the index for eggs rose 3.3 percent. The indexes for cereals and bakery products and for other food at home also rose 0.2 percent. The food at home index has risen 0.9 percent over the past 12 months. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs has increased 3.1 percent, with the eggs index increasing 24.9 percent and the beef index up 10.0 percent. In contrast, the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for dairy and related products have declined over the past 12 months. The index for food away from home was unchanged in July. It has risen 2.7 percent over the past 12 months.

Energy

The energy index edged up 0.1 percent in July after a 1.7 percent increase in June. The gasoline index increased for the third consecutive month, rising 0.9 percent. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices declined 0.2 percent in July.) The other major energy component indexes declined in July. The index for natural gas fell 1.4 percent after rising in June. The electricity index fell 0.4 percent, its third decline in the last 5 months. The fuel oil index decreased 3.4 percent following a 1.9-percent decline in June. All major energy components have declined over the past 12 months. The fuel oil index has posted the largest decline, falling 29.7 percent, and the gasoline index has decreased 22.3 percent. The index for natural gas has fallen 14.2 percent and the electricity index has declined 0.7 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent in July following a 0.2-percent increase in June. The shelter index rose 0.4 percent, its largest increase since February 2007. The indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent both increased 0.3 percent, while the index for lodging away from home increased 2.5 percent after falling in May and June. The apparel index also turned up in July, rising 0.3 percent after declining in each of the last 3 months. The index for medical care rose slightly in July, increasing 0.1 percent, with both the medical care services and medical care commodities indexes advancing 0.1 percent. Several indexes were unchanged in July, including those for personal care, recreation, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco. The index for airline fares declined sharply in July, falling 5.6 percent, its largest decline since December 1995. The index for used cars and trucks fell for the third month in a row, declining 0.6 percent, and the index for household furnishings and operations fell 0.2 percent, also its third straight decline. The new vehicles index, which had increased five months in a row, also fell 0.2 percent in July.

The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.8 percent over the past 12 months, similar to its 1.9-percent average annualized increase over the past 10 years. The shelter index has increased 3.1 percent over the last year, its largest 12-month increase since January 2008. The indexes for airline fares, apparel, used cars and trucks, and household furnishings and operations have all declined over the last 12 months.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 238.654 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was essentially unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 233.806 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was essentially unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) decreased 0.1 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index was virtually unchanged on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.

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.