January 2019 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.

(NOTE: This news release was reissued on February 13, 2019, correcting the following sentence: “The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in January for the fifth consecutive month.” The original sentence stated it was the fourth consecutive month.)

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.6 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The energy index declined for the third consecutive month, offsetting increases in the indexes for all items less food and energy and for food. All the major energy component indexes declined in January, with the gasoline index falling 5.5 percent. The food index increased 0.2 percent, with the index for food at home rising 0.1 percent and the food away from home index increasing 0.3 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in January for the fifth consecutive month. The indexes for shelter, apparel, medical care, recreation, and household furnishings and operations were among the indexes that rose in January, while the indexes for airline fares and for motor vehicle insurance declined.

The all items index increased 1.6 percent for the 12 months ending January, the smallest increase since the period ending June 2017. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2 percent over the last 12 months, the same increase as the 12 months ending November and December 2018. The food index rose 1.6 percent over the past year, while the energy index declined 4.8 percent.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. ended 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2019 Jan. 2019

Food

The food index rose 0.2 percent in January, its third consecutive monthly increase. The food at home index rose 0.1 percent, with major grocery store food group indexes split with three increases and three declines. The index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 0.8 percent in January, its largest increase since May 2017. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.6 percent as the beef index increased 1.4 percent. The index for other food at home rose 0.1 percent in January after declining in December.

The fruits and vegetables index declined in January, falling 0.3 percent after a sharp increase in December. The index for cereals and bakery products also turned down, falling 0.4 percent in January after rising in December, and the index for dairy and related products fell 0.3 percent.

The index for food away from home rose 0.3 percent in January following a 0.4-percent increase in December. The index for limited service meals rose 0.6 percent, while the index for full service meals increased 0.2 percent.

The food at home index rose 0.6 percent over the past 12 months. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the span, with the nonalcoholic beverages index posting the largest increase at 2.2 percent. The dairy and related products index was the only one to decline, falling 0.4 percent. The index for food away from home rose 2.8 percent over the last 12 months.

Energy

The energy index fell 3.1 percent in January. The gasoline index continued to decline, falling 5.5 percent. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 5.2 percent in January.) The other major energy component indexes declined more modestly in January. The electricity index fell 0.6 percent, the index for natural gas declined 0.3 percent, and the fuel oil index decreased 1.3 percent.

The energy index fell 4.8 percent over the past 12 months, the largest 12-month decline in the index since the period ending August 2016. The major energy component indexes were mixed over the last 12 months. The gasoline index fell 10.1 percent over the span and the index for fuel oil declined 8.1 percent. In contrast, the index for natural gas rose 4.3 percent over the past 12 months and the electricity index increased 0.4 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in January. The shelter index increased 0.3 percent in January, the same increase as in November and December. The indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent both rose 0.3 percent, and the index for lodging away from home rose 0.5 percent.

The apparel index rose 1.1 percent in January, its largest increase since February 2018. The medical care index rose 0.2 percent in January, with its component indexes mixed. The physicians' services index rose 0.4 percent, while the index for prescription drugs was unchanged and the hospital services index declined 0.3 percent.

The recreation index continued to rise, increasing 0.3 percent in January, as did the indexes for household furnishings and operations and for education. The new vehicles index rose 0.2 percent in January. The index for used cars and trucks, which declined in December, rose 0.1 percent in January, and the indexes for tobacco and for personal care also increased.

In contrast, the index for airline fares continued to fall in January, declining 0.9 percent. The index for motor vehicle insurance fell 0.2 percent in January, its third consecutive decline. The index for communication was unchanged in January.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index rose 3.2 percent over the span, and the index for medical care rose 1.9 percent. The new vehicles index was unchanged over the past year. Indexes that declined over the past 12 months include communication (-1.7 percent) and airline fares (-2.8 percent).

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 251.712 (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 1.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 245.133 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 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.