June 2019 Consumer Price Index

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in May, 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.

Increases in the indexes for shelter, apparel, and used cars and trucks more than offset declines in energy indexes to result in the seasonally adjusted all items monthly increase in June. The energy index fell 2.3 percent as all of the major energy component indexes declined. The food index was unchanged as the index for food away from home rose but the index for food at home declined.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 in June, its largest monthly increase since January 2018. Along with the indexes for shelter, used cars and trucks, and apparel, the indexes for household furnishings and operations, medical care, and motor vehicle insurance were among the indexes that increased in June. The indexes for recreation, airline fares, and personal care all declined in June.

The all items index increased 1.6 percent for the 12 months ending June, a smaller increase than the 1.8-percent rise for the period ending May. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.1 percent over the last 12 months, and the food index increased 1.9 percent. The energy index, in contrast, declined 3.4 percent over the last 12 months.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June ended 2018 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 June 2019

Food

The food index was unchanged in June. The index for food at home declined 0.2 percent after increasing 0.3 percent in May. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes declined in June. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which rose 0.8 percent in May, fell 0.7 percent in June as the index for beef fell 1.3 percent. The indexes for cereals and bakery products and for nonalcoholic beverages both fell 0.6 percent in June after rising in May. The index for fruits and vegetables fell 0.5 percent in June, its third consecutive decline.

In contrast to these declines, the index for other food at home rose 0.7 percent in June after being unchanged in May. The index for dairy and related products rose 0.3 percent in June, its fifth consecutive monthly increase. The index for food away from home rose 0.3 percent in June after a 0.2-percent increase in May. The index for full service meals rose 0.6 percent in June while the index for limited service meals was unchanged.

Over the last 12 months, the food at home index increased 0.9 percent. All six major grocery store food group indexes rose over the span, with increases ranging from 0.3 percent (meats, poultry, fish, and eggs) to 2.3 percent (nonalcoholic beverages). The index for food away from home rose 3.1 percent over the last 12 months, with the index for full service meals rising 3.3 percent and the index for limited service meals increasing 3.0 percent.

Energy

The energy index declined 2.3 percent in June following a 0.6-percent decline in May. The gasoline index, which fell 0.5 percent in May, declined 3.6 percent in June. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 4.9 percent in June.) The index for electricity fell 0.8 percent in June, the same decline as the prior month, and the index for natural gas fell 0.3 percent.

The energy index decreased 3.4 percent over the past 12 months, with its major component indexes all falling over the period. The gasoline index declined 5.4 percent over the past year and the fuel oil index decreased 5.6 percent. The index for natural gas fell 2.1 percent, and the index for electricity decreased 0.3 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.3 percent in June. The shelter index rose 0.3 percent in June following a 0.2-percent increase in May. The index for rent increased 0.4 percent and the index for owners’ equivalent rent increased 0.3 percent. The index for used cars and trucks rose 1.6 percent in June after declining in recent months. The apparel index, which was unchanged in May, increased 1.1 percent in June. The index for household furnishings and operations rose 0.8 percent in June, its largest increase since February 1991, as the index for gardening and lawncare services rose 6.1 percent.

The medical care index rose 0.3 percent in June, with its component indexes mixed. The index for dental services rose 1.1 percent and the index for physicians’ services increased 0.1 percent, while the prescription drugs index fell 0.6 percent and the hospital services index declined 0.1 percent. Also increasing in June were the indexes for motor vehicle insurance, education, new vehicles, communication, and alcoholic beverages.

In contrast to these increases, the recreation index declined 0.2 percent in June following a 0.3-percent decline in May. The index for airline fares fell 0. 9 percent and the index for personal care declined 0.2 percent in June; both indexes increased in May.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.1 percent over the past 12 months; the 12-month change has been in the range of 2.0 to 2.2 percent for 11 months in a row. The shelter index rose 3.5 percent over the year, the largest 12-month change since the period ending July 2018.

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 256.143 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 249.747 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index was unchanged on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.