October 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 0.1 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 rose 2.0 percent.

The shelter index increased 0.3 percent and was the main factor in the seasonally adjusted all items increase. The energy index fell, as a decline in the gasoline index outweighed increases in other energy component indexes. The food index was unchanged over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in October. In addition to the shelter index, the indexes for medical care, used cars and trucks, tobacco, education, motor vehicle insurance, and personal care were among those that increased. The indexes for new vehicles, recreation, and apparel all declined.

The all items index rose 2.0 percent for the 12 months ending October, a smaller increase than the 2.2-percent increase for the period ending September. The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.8 percent over the past year, a slightly larger increase compared to the 1.7-percent increase for the 12 months ending September. The energy index increased 6.4 percent over the last 12 months, and the index for food rose 1.3 percent.

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

Food

The food index was unchanged in October following slight increases in August and September. The index for food at home was unchanged for the second month in a row. Among the major grocery store food group indexes, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs was the only one to rise, increasing 0.6 percent after a decline in September. The increase was largely caused by the index for eggs, which increased 6.7 percent; the index for beef declined 0.8 percent.

The index for cereals and bakery products fell 0.5 percent, its largest decline since November 2015. The indexes for dairy and related products and for other food at home also declined in October. The indexes for fruits and vegetables and for nonalcoholic beverages were both unchanged in October.

The index for food at home rose 0.6 percent over the past year. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 1.5 percent over the span. The indexes for cereals and bakery products and for dairy and related products both declined over the past year. The index for food away from home rose 0.1 percent in October and increased 2.3 percent over the past year.

Energy

The energy index decreased 1.0 percent in October following increases in August and September. The gasoline index, which rose 13.1 percent in September, fell 2.4 percent in October. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices decreased 5.4 percent in October.) The electricity index increased in October, rising 0.5 percent, and the index for natural gas rose 0.3 percent in October after falling in each of the last four months.

All the major energy component indexes rose over the past 12 months. The gasoline index increased 10.8 percent, the index for natural gas advanced 3.2 percent, and the electricity index increased 2.0 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in October after a 0.1-percent increase in September. The shelter index rose 0.3 percent, with the indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent also rising 0.3 percent. The index for lodging away from home continued to increase, rising 1.6 percent. The medical care index rose 0.3 percent, with the index for hospital services rising 0.5 percent and the physicians' services index increasing 0.2 percent. However, the index for prescription drugs declined 0.2 percent.

The index for used cars and trucks rose in October, increasing 0.7 percent; this ended a streak of nine consecutive declines. The tobacco index rose in October, increasing 1.6 percent. The education index increased 0.3 percent, and the index for wireless telephone services rose 0.4 percent. The indexes for personal care, airline fares, and motor vehicle insurance also increased in October.

The index for new vehicles continued to decline, falling 0.2 percent in October after a 0.4-percent decrease in September. The index for apparel declined 0.1 percent in October, the same decline as in September; the recreation index also fell 0.1 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations was unchanged in October after declining in 5 of the 6 prior months.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.8 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index rose 3.2 percent over that span; the 12-month increase in the shelter index has now been either 3.2 or 3.3 percent for 6 months in a row. The index for motor vehicle insurance increased 8.2 percent over the past 12 months, but several transportation indexes declined over the span, including new vehicles, used cars and trucks, and airline fares.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.0 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 246.663 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 240.573 (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 1.9 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index decreased 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.

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.