September 2017 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) rose 0.5 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 rose 2.2 percent.

The gasoline index increased 13.1 percent in September and accounted for about three-fourths of the seasonally adjusted all items increase. Other major energy component indexes were mixed, and the food index rose slightly.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent in September. The shelter index continued to increase, and the indexes for motor vehicle insurance, recreation, education, and wireless telephone services also rose. These increases more than offset declines in the indexes for new vehicles, household furnishings and operations, medical care, and used cars and trucks.

The all items index rose 2.2 percent for the 12 months ending September; the 12-month change has been accelerating since it was 1.6 percent in June. The 12-month change in the index for all items less food and energy remained at 1.7 percent for the fifth month in a row. The energy index rose 10.1 percent over the past 12 months, its largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 2017. The food index increased 1.2 percent over the last year.

HURRICANE IRMA

Hurricane Irma had a small impact on data collection in September. Data collection was affected in some areas in Florida.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. ended 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 Sep. 2017

Food

The food index rose 0.1 percent in September, the same increase as in August. The index for food away from home rose 0.3 percent, while the index for food at home was unchanged in September after declining in August. Among the six major grocery store food group indexes, there were three increases and three declines. The index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 0.4 percent after falling 0.4 percent in August. The indexes for cereals and bakery products and for other food at home also increased in September.

The index for dairy and related products fell 0.6 percent in September following a 0.4-percent decline in August. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs also continued to fall, declining 0.4 percent. The index for fruits and vegetables fell 0.2 percent, with the fresh vegetables index declining 0.8 percent, but the index for fresh fruits rising 0.5 percent.

Over the last 12 months, the index for food at home rose 0.4 percent. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 1.2 percent over the span, the largest increase among the major grocery store food groups. The indexes for cereals and bakery products and for dairy and related products both declined slightly over the last 12 months. The index for food away from home rose 2.4 percent over the last year.

Energy

The energy index increased 6.1 percent in September following a 2.8-percent increase in August. The major factor in the increase was a 13.1-percent rise in the gasoline index, the largest monthly increase since June 2009. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices increased 10.6 percent in September.) The fuel oil index also rose sharply, increasing 8.2 percent. However, the electricity index was unchanged and the index for natural gas declined 0.8 percent.

The gasoline index increased 19.3 percent over the last 12 months. The other energy component indexes also rose over the past year, with the index for natural gas rising 3.8 percent and the index for electricity increasing 1.7 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent in September following a 0.2-percent rise in August. The shelter index rose 0.3 percent in September following a 0.5-percent increase in August. The indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent both rose 0.2 percent, while the index for lodging away from home increased 1.5 percent.

The motor vehicle insurance index rose 0.5 percent in September; it has declined only once in the last 23 months. The education index increased 0.3 percent, and the index for recreation rose 0.2 percent. The index for wireless telephone services rose 0.4 percent in September, ending a streak of 14 consecutive declines. The indexes for alcoholic beverages, personal care, and tobacco also increased in September.

The index for new vehicles, which was unchanged in August, fell 0.4 percent in September. The index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.3 percent, and the index for used cars and trucks continued to fall, declining 0.2 percent. The medical care index fell slightly in September, declining 0.1 percent as declines in the indexes for prescription and nonprescription drugs outweighed increases in medical care service indexes. The apparel index declined 0.1 percent in September.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index rose 3.2 percent over that span, and the index for medical care increased 1.6 percent. The index for new vehicles fell 1.0 percent over the last 12 months, its largest 12-month decline since the period ending February 2009.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 246.819 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.5 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 240.939 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.6 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.6 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: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/additional-resources/geographic-revision-2018.htm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------