September 2015 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 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 was essentially unchanged before seasonal adjustment.

The energy index fell 4.7 percent in September, with all major component indexes declining. The gasoline index continued to fall sharply and was again the main cause of the seasonally adjusted all items decrease. The indexes for fuel oil, electricity, and natural gas declined as well.

In contrast to the energy declines, the indexes for food and for all items less food and energy both accelerated in September. The food index rose 0.4 percent, its largest increase since May 2014. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in September. The indexes for shelter, medical care, household furnishings and operations, and personal care all increased; the indexes for apparel, used cars and trucks, new vehicles, and airline fares were among those that declined.

The all items index was essentially unchanged for the 12 months ending September after posting a 0.2 percent increase for the 12 months ending August. The 18.4 percent decline in the energy index over the past year offset increases in the indexes for food (up 1.6 percent) and all items less food and energy (up 1.9 percent).

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

Consumer Price Index Data for September 2015

Food

The food index increased 0.4 percent in September after rising 0.2 percent in August. The index for food at home rose 0.3 percent in September, the same increase as in August. The major grocery store food group indexes were split, with three advances and three declines. The largest increase was in the other food at home group, which rose 0.8 percent in September after falling in August. The index for dairy and related products also turned up in September, rising 0.7 percent after declining 0.3 percent the prior month. The index for fruits and vegetables advanced 0.7 percent in September after rising 1.5 percent in August; the fresh fruits index rose 0.9 percent and the index for fresh vegetables increased 1.0 percent. In contrast, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs turned down in September, falling 0.3 after rising in August. The cereals and bakery products index fell 0.2 percent and the index for nonalcoholic beverages declined 0.1 percent. The index for food at home has risen 0.8 percent over the past 12 months. Five of the six major group indexes rose over that span, though none more than 1.6 percent (other food at home). The dairy index was the only one to decline, falling 2.3 percent. The index for food away from home increased 0.5 percent in September, its largest increase since October 2008, and has risen 2.9 percent over the past 12 months.

Energy

The energy index, which fell 2.0 percent in August, declined 4.7 percent in September. The gasoline index declined 9.0 percent following a 4.1 percent decrease in August. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices declined 10.1 percent in September.) The fuel oil index declined as well, falling 2.4 percent after an 8.1 percent decrease in August. The electricity index, which rose in August, fell 0.5 percent in September. The index for natural gas also turned down in September, falling 0.3 percent. All the major energy component indexes continue to show 12-month declines. The electricity index has fallen 0.4 percent over the span, while the other indexes have fallen more sharply: Fuel oil has fallen 34.9 percent, gasoline has declined 29.6 percent, and natural gas has decreased 12.1 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in September after rising 0.1 percent in July and August. The shelter index increased 0.3 percent in September after rising 0.2 percent the prior month. The rent index increased 0.4 percent and the index for owners' equivalent rent increased 0.3 percent. The index for lodging away from home increased 0.8 percent in September after declining in August. The medical care index rose 0.2 percent in September with the indexes for physicians' services and hospital services rising but the index for prescription drugs declining slightly. The index for household furnishings and operations increased 0.3 percent after declining in each of the four previous months. The index for personal care rose 0.3 percent, and the alcoholic beverages index rose 0.1 percent. In contrast, the apparel index fell 0.3 percent after rising in July and August. The index for used cars and trucks fell 0.2 percent, while the new vehicles index declined 0.1 percent, as did the tobacco index. The index for airline fares also declined 0.1 percent in September after declining more sharply in July and August. The recreation index was unchanged in September.

The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.9 percent over the past 12 months; this is a slight increase from the 1.8 percent rise for the 12 months ending August and is the highest 12-month change since July 2014. The shelter index has increased 3.2 percent over the past 12 months with the rent index up 3.7 percent; these figures have been gradually trending upward.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was essentially unchanged over the last 12 months; the September index level is 237.945 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) decreased 0.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 232.661 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) decreased 0.5 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index declined 0.3 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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