November 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) was unchanged in November on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index declined 4.2 percent in November, offsetting increases in an array of indexes including shelter and used cars and trucks. Other major energy component indexes were mixed, with the index for fuel oil falling but the indexes for electricity and natural gas rising. The food index rose in November, with the indexes for food at home and food away from home both increasing.

The all items less food and energy index increased 0.2 percent in November. Along with the indexes for shelter and used cars and trucks, the indexes for medical care, recreation, and water and sewer and trash collection also increased. The indexes for wireless telephone services, airline fares, and motor vehicle insurance declined in November.

The all items index increased 2.2 percent for the 12 months ending November, compared to a 2.5-percent increase for the period ending October. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.2 percent in November. The energy index increased 3.1 percent for the 12 months ending November; this was its smallest 12-month increase since the period ending June 2017. The food index rose 1.4 percent over the last 12 months.

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

Food

The food index rose 0.2 percent in November. The index for food away from home rose 0.3 percent, the largest increase since May. The food at home index increased 0.2 percent in November after falling 0.2 percent in October. The index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.6 percent in November after falling 0.6 percent in October. The indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs and for other food at home both rose 0.3 percent in November. The fruits and vegetables index was unchanged in November following three straight monthly declines. The index for nonalcoholic beverages fell 0.4 percent in November, and the dairy and related products index fell 0.2 percent, its third straight monthly decline.

The food at home index rose 0.4 percent for the 12 months ending November. The cereals and bakery products index rose 1.3 percent, the largest increase of the six grocery store food group component indexes. The index for nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials rose 1.0 percent, and the indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs and for other food at home both increased 0.4 percent.

The remaining grocery store food group indexes declined over the most recent 12 months. The index for dairy and related products fell 0.5 percent for the 12 months ending November, and the fruits and vegetables index decreased 0.1 percent. The food away from home index rose 2.6 percent for the 12 months ending November.

Energy

The energy index fell 2.2 percent in November after rising 2.4 percent in October. The gasoline index declined 4.2 percent in November following a 3.0-percent increase in October. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 7.3 percent in November.) The natural gas index rose 0.7 percent after declines in the previous 2 months. The electricity index rose 0.3 percent in November following a 2.3-percent increase in October.

The energy index increased 3.1 percent over the last 12 months, a smaller rise than the 8.9-percent increase for the 12 month period ending October. The gasoline index rose 5.0 percent for the 12 months ending November, and the fuel oil index increased 16.1 percent. The electricity index rose more modestly, increasing 0.6 percent over the span. In contrast to the increases in the other energy component indexes, the index for natural gas 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 November, the same increase as the previous month. The shelter index increased 0.3 percent in November following 0.2-percent increases in October and September. The rent index rose 0.4 percent and the index for owners’ equivalent rent increased 0.3 percent.

The used cars and trucks index increased 2.4 percent in November. The medical care index rose 0.4 percent in November with its component indexes mixed. The hospital services index rose 0.5 percent in November, its first increase since July, and the index for prescription drugs also increased 0.5 percent. The index for physicians' services, in contrast, declined 0.3 percent. The recreation index rose 0.4 percent in November, and the index for water and sewer and trash collection services increased 1.2 percent.

The index for wireless telephone services fell 2.2 percent, its largest decline since March 2017. The index for airline fares decreased 2.4 percent in November after being unchanged in October. The index for motor vehicle insurance declined 0.5 percent in November after rising 0.5 percent in October.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index increased 3.2 percent. The medical care index rose 2.0 percent over this span, as the hospital services index increased 3.5 percent. Several indexes decreased over the last 12 months. The communication index fell 1.7 percent over the span, and the indexes for apparel, lodging away from home, and airline fares also declined.

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 252.038 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 2.2 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 245.933 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.4 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.0 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.