October 2018 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) increased 0.3 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.1 percent in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 2.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.

An increase in the gasoline index was responsible for over one-third of the seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index; advances in the indexes for shelter, used cars and trucks, and electricity also contributed. The increases in the gasoline and electricity indexes led to a 2.4-percent rise in the energy index. The food index, in contrast, declined slightly in October.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in October following a 0.1-percent increase in September. Along with the indexes for shelter and for used cars and trucks, the indexes for medical care, household furnishings and operations, motor vehicle insurance, and tobacco all increased in October. The indexes for communication, new vehicles, and recreation all declined.

The all items index rose 2.5 percent for the 12 months ending October, a larger increase than the 2.3-percent increase for the 12 months ending September. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.1 percent for the 12 months ending October. The energy index increased 8.9 percent, while the food index increased more modestly, advancing 1.2 percent over the last 12 months.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. ended 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 Oct. 2018

Food

The food index declined 0.1 percent in October as the index for food at home fell 0.2 percent and the index for food away from home rose 0.1 percent. Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes declined in October. The fruits and vegetables index fell 0.7 percent in October, its third consecutive decline. The index for fresh fruits fell 1.8 percent, while the fresh vegetables index increased 0.3 percent. The index for cereals and bakery products fell 0.6 percent, and the index for dairy and related products declined 0.4 percent.

The index for nonalcoholic beverages was the only major grocery store food group to increase in October, rising 0.2 percent. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs was unchanged in October with its component indexes mixed, and the index for other food at home was also unchanged in October.

The food at home index increased slightly over the past year, rising 0.1 percent . The indexes for nonalcoholic beverages, cereals and bakery products, and other food at home all increased over the last 12 months; the remaining major grocery store food group indexes all declined over the span. The index for food away from home rose 2.5 percent over the last year.

Energy

The energy index rose 2.4 percent in October after falling in September. The gasoline index increased 3.0 percent in October following a 0.2-percent decline in September. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices increased 0.6 percent in October.) The index for electricity rose 2.3 percent in October. In contrast, the index for natural gas declined, falling 0.6 percent.

The energy index increased 8.9 percent over the last 12 months. The gasoline index rose 16.1 percent over the span, while the fuel oil index increased 26.2 percent. The electricity index increased modestly, rising 0.7 percent over the last year. The index for natural gas, in contrast, declined 2.1 percent over the last 12 months.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in October. The shelter index rose 0.2 percent in October, the same increase as in September. The rent index rose 0.2 percent and the index for owners' equivalent rent advanced 0.3 percent. The index for lodging away from home declined in October, falling 2.1 percent.

The index for used cars and trucks rose 2.6 percent in October following a 3.0-percent decline in September. The index for medical care increased 0.2 percent in October, although the indexes for physicians' services and hospital services were both unchanged. The index for household furnishings and operations increased in October, rising 0.3 percent. The index for motor vehicle insurance continued to rise in October, increasing 0.5 percent. The tobacco index rose 1.3 percent, while the index for apparel increased slightly, rising 0.1 percent.

The index for communication declined 0.4 percent in October. The new vehicles index also declined, falling 0.2 percent in October after decreasing 0.1 percent in September. The index for recreation also fell, decreasing 0.1 percent, as did the index for personal care.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.1 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 3.2 percent over the last year, and the medical care index rose 1.7 percent. Among transportation indexes, the new vehicles index rose 0.5 percent over the last 12 months, while the index for used cars and trucks increased 0.4 percent. The motor vehicle insurance index rose 6.7 percent, while the index for airline fares declined over the past year, falling 0.5 percent.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 252.885 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 247.038 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.3 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index rose 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.