October 2015 Consumer Price Index

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

The indexes for food, energy, and all items less food and energy all increased modestly in October. The food index, which increased 0.4 percent in September, rose 0.1 percent in October, with four of the six major grocery store food group indexes rising. The energy index, which declined in August and September, advanced 0.3 percent in October; major energy component indexes were mixed.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in October, the same increase as in September. Advances in the indexes for shelter and medical care were the largest contributors to the increase, with the indexes for personal care, airline fares, recreation, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco also rising. In contrast, the indexes for apparel, new vehicles, household furnishings and operations, and used cars and trucks all declined in October.

The all items index rose 0.2 percent over the last 12 months. The 12-month change has been between negative 0.2 percent and positive 0.2 percent since January. The food index has increased 1.6 percent over the past year, and the index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.9 percent. These advances have been mostly offset by a 17.1 percent decline in the energy index.

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

Consumer Price Index Data for October 2015

Food

The food index increased 0.1 percent in October, its smallest increase since May. The index for food at home rose 0.1 percent in October after a 0.3 percent increase in September. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes rose in October. The index for cereals and bakery products advanced 0.8 percent in October, its largest increase since August 2011. The fruits and vegetables index increased for the fourth month in a row, rising 0.5 percent. The indexes for nonalcoholic beverages and for other food at home also rose in October, increasing 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs declined in October, falling 0.5 percent, as the index for eggs fell 4.8 percent after sharp increases during the summer. The index for dairy and related products also declined, falling 0.2 percent. The food at home index has increased 0.7 percent over the past 12 months. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes rose over the span, with the index for other food at home posting the largest increase of 2.0 percent. The dairy index was the only one to decline, falling 3.0 percent. The index for food away from home increased 0.2 percent in October and has risen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months.

Energy

The energy index, which declined 4.7 percent in September, rose 0.3 percent in October. Major energy component indexes were mixed in October. The gasoline index rose 0.4 percent after declining sharply in August and September. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices declined 3.9 percent in October.) The electricity index also increased 0.4 percent in October after falling in September. In contrast, the fuel oil index continued to decline, falling 1.1 percent, and the index for natural gas decreased 0.7 percent. All major energy component indexes continue to show declines over the past 12 months. The fuel oil index has declined 32.9 percent and the gasoline index has fallen 27.8 percent. The index for natural gas has decreased 11.0 percent, and the electricity index has declined more modestly, falling 0.5 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in October, the same increase as the previous month. The shelter index continued to rise, increasing 0.3 percent for the second consecutive month. The rent index rose 0.3 percent and the index for owners' equivalent rent advanced 0.2 percent. The index for lodging away from home increased 0.8 percent, the same increase as in September. The medical care index rose 0.7 percent in October, its largest increase since April. The hospital services index increased 2.0 percent, the index for prescription drugs rose 0.1 percent and the physicians' services index was unchanged. The index for personal care increased 0.5 percent in October, its largest increase since January. The index for airline fares turned up in October, rising 1.5 percent and ending a string of three consecutive declines. The index for recreation increased 0.2 percent, the index for alcoholic beverages rose 0.6 percent, and the tobacco index advanced 0.4 percent. In contrast to these increases, the apparel index declined in October, falling 0.8 percent, its largest decline since December 2014. The index for new vehicles, which fell 0.1 percent in September, fell 0.2 percent in October. The index for used cars and trucks declined for the sixth month in a row, falling 0.3 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations also declined in October, falling 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.9 percent over the past 12 months; this is the same figure as the 12 months ending September. Indexes that have increased more rapidly include shelter (3.2 percent) and medical care (3.0 percent). Among the indexes that posted smaller increases are recreation (0.6 percent) and new vehicles (0.1 percent). Indexes that declined over the past year include airline fares (-5.2 percent), apparel (-1.9 percent) and used cars and trucks (-1.4 percent).

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 237.838 (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 0.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 232.373 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index declined 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) decreased 0.2 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index declined 0.1 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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