November 2016 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent 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 rose 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The shelter and gasoline indexes continued to rise in November, and were again the main reasons for the seasonally adjusted all items increase. The shelter index advanced 0.3 percent in November, while the gasoline index increased 2.7 percent.

The food index was unchanged in November, as the index for food at home fell 0.1 percent, its seventh consecutive decline. The energy index increased 1.2 percent, although gasoline was the only major energy component index to increase over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in November after rising 0.1 percent in October. The shelter index accounted for most of the increase, but the indexes for motor vehicle insurance, education, communication, and used cars and trucks also rose. The medical care index was unchanged over the month. Several indexes declined in November, including apparel, household furnishings and operations, airline fares, and new vehicles.

The all items index rose 1.7 percent for the 12 months ending November; the 12-month all items increase has been rising since it was 0.8 percent in July. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.1 percent for the 12 months ending November, and the energy index increased 1.1 percent. In contrast, the food index declined 0.4 percent over the last 12 months.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. ended 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 Nov. 2016

Food

The food index was unchanged in November for the fifth consecutive month. The food at home index fell 0.1 percent, while the index for food away from home increased 0.1 percent. Major grocery store food group indexes were mixed in November, with four declines and two increases. The index for dairy and related products fell 0.6 percent in November after rising in September and October. The fruits and vegetables index fell 0.2 percent after rising 0.2 percent the prior month. The index for other food at home fell 0.3 percent, and the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs continued to fall, declining 0.1 percent.

The index for nonalcoholic beverages increased in November, rising 0.3 percent after declining in five of the last six months. The index for cereals and bakery products also rose, increasing 0.1 percent.

The food at home index declined 2.2 percent over the past year, with all six of the major grocery store food group indexes falling. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs posted the largest decline over the span, decreasing 6.0 percent. The index for food away from home, in contrast, rose 2.3 percent over the past 12 months.

Energy

The energy index rose in November, increasing 1.2 percent after a 3.5 percent rise in October. The gasoline index, which rose 7.0 percent in October, increased 2.7 percent in November. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices decreased 2.4 percent in November.) The electricity index was unchanged in November after rising in each of the 4 previous months. The index for natural gas, which had also increased 4 months in a row, fell 0.4 percent in November.

The energy index rose 1.1 percent over the past year, the largest 12-month increase since July 2014. The gasoline index rose 1.0 percent over the last year. The index for natural gas rose more sharply, increasing 6.2 percent, while the electricity index increased slightly, advancing 0.2 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in November after increasing 0.1 percent in September and October. The shelter index increased 0.3 percent in November, with the indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent both increasing 0.3 percent. The index for motor vehicle insurance continued to rise, increasing 1.0 percent in November. The index for education increased 0.2 percent, as did the index for communication. The index for used cars and trucks rose 0.3 percent in November, the first increase since February, and the recreation index rose 0.1 percent.

The index for medical care was unchanged in November. The physicians' services index rose 0.6 percent, while the index for prescription drugs fell 0.6 percent and the hospital services index declined 0.1 percent. The apparel index fell 0.5 percent in November after rising in October, and the index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.3 percent. The index for airline fares fell 1.3 percent in November after a 2.2 percent decline in October, and the index for new vehicles fell 0.1 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 2.1 percent over the past 12 months. Indexes that rose faster over the last year included motor vehicle insurance (6.7 percent), medical care (4.0 percent), and shelter (3.6 percent). Among the indexes that rose more slowly were recreation (0.8 percent), apparel (0.3 percent), and new vehicles (0.2 percent). Indexes that declined included airline fare (-6.6 percent), used cars and trucks (-3.8 percent), and household furnishings and operations (-1.0 percent).

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 241.353 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 235.215 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index fell 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.

Consumer Price Index Geographic Revision for 2018

In January 2018, BLS will introduce a new geographic area sample for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 2018 revision utilizes the 2010 Decennial Census and incorporates an updated area sample design, changes the frequency of publication for several local area indexes, and establishes some new local area and aggregate indexes. The first indexes using the new structure will be published in February 2018. Additional information on the geographic revision is available at: www.bls.gov/cpi/georevision2018.htm.

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