November 2015 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 0.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The indexes for energy and food declined in November, offsetting an increase in the index for all items less food and energy and resulting in the seasonally adjusted all items index being unchanged. The energy index fell 1.3 percent, with all of the major component indexes declining except electricity. The food index fell 0.1 percent, as the index for food at home fell 0.3 percent, with five of the six major grocery store food group indexes declining.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in November, the same increase as in September and October. The indexes for shelter, medical care, airline fares, new vehicles, and tobacco were among the indexes that rose in November. In contrast, the indexes for recreation, apparel, household furnishings and operations, and used cars and trucks all declined.

The all items index rose 0.5 percent over the last 12 months; this is the largest 12 month increase since the 12-month period ending December 2014. The food index rose 1.3 percent over the span, while the energy index declined 14.7 percent. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.0 percent, its largest 12-month increase since the 12 months ending May 2014.

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

Consumer Price Index Data for November 2015

Food

The food index decreased 0.1 percent in November, its first decline since March. The food at home index fell 0.3 percent, as every major grocery store food group index except fruits and vegetables declined. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs declined for the third month in a row, falling 0.6 percent. The index for beef and veal fell 1.4 percent and the eggs index declined 3.8 percent. The index for dairy and related products also fell 0.6 percent, its third decline in the last 4 months. The indexes for cereal and bakery products and for nonalcoholic beverages both declined 0.5 percent in November after rising in October. The index for other food at home decreased 0.3 percent in November. The index for fruits and vegetables, in contrast, rose 0.6 percent, with the fresh vegetables index rising 0.9 percent but the index for fresh fruits declining 0.1 percent. The food at home index has increased 0.3 percent over the past 12 months, its smallest 12-month increase since the period ending June 2010. The indexes for dairy and related products and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs have declined over the last 12 months. The index for food away from home increased 0.2 percent in November and has risen 2.7 percent over the last 12 months.

Energy

The energy index fell 1.3 percent in November after increasing 0.3 percent in October. The gasoline index, which increased 0.4 percent in October, fell 2.4 percent in November. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices declined 4.2 percent in November.) The index for natural gas also declined in November, falling 1.9 percent, and the fuel oil index decreased 1.3 percent. The electricity index, however, increased in November, rising 0.3 percent following a 0.4 percent increase last month. The electricity index has declined slightly over the past 12 months, falling 0.2 percent. Other energy components show larger declines over the past year; the fuel oil index has fallen 31.4 percent, the gasoline index has declined 24.1 percent, and the index for natural gas has decreased 11.7 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in November. The shelter index increased 0.2 percent in November after rising 0.3 percent in both September and October. The indexes for rent and for owners' equivalent rent both advanced 0.2 percent, while the index for lodging away from home increased 1.0 percent. The medical care index increased 0.4 percent in November. The physicians' services index rose 1.1 percent and the index for prescription drugs index advanced 0.4 percent, but the index for hospital services declined, falling 0.2 percent after rising in October. The index for airline fares continued to rise, increasing 1.2 percent in November after a 1.5 percent increase in October. The index for tobacco rose 0.5 percent in November following a 0.4 percent increase the prior month. The new vehicles index rose slightly, increasing 0.1 percent in November after declining in September and October. Other indexes that increased in November include education, communication, and motor vehicle insurance. In contrast to these increases, the recreation index fell 0.2 percent in November, and the index for apparel declined 0.3 percent, its third consecutive decline. The index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.2 percent, its sixth decrease in the last 7 months. The index for used cars and trucks fell 0.1 percent in November, as did the index for alcoholic beverages. The personal care index was unchanged in November after rising in September and October.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 2.0 percent over the past 12 months. About two-thirds of this increase is accounted for by the shelter index, which rose 3.2 percent over the span. The medical care index increased 2.9 percent over the past 12 months, and the indexes for education, motor vehicle insurance, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, personal care, recreation, and new vehicles also increased. The indexes for apparel, airline fares, communication, household furnishings and operations, and used cars and trucks are among the indexes that declined over the past 12 months.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 237.336 (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) increased 0.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 231.721 (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) increased 0.1 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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