October 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.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis after being unchanged in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.8 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The energy index increased 2.7 percent in October after recent monthly declines and accounted for more than half of the increase in the seasonally adjusted all items index; increases in the indexes for medical care, for recreation, and for food also contributed. The gasoline index rose 3.7 percent in October and the other major energy component indexes also increased. The food index rose 0.2 percent, with the indexes for both food at home and food away from home increasing over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in October after increasing 0.1 percent in September. Along with the indexes for medical care and for recreation, the indexes for used cars and trucks, for shelter, and for personal care all rose in October, though the increase in the shelter index was the smallest since October 2013. The apparel index fell in October, as did the indexes for household furnishings and operations, for new vehicles, and for airline fares.

The all items index increased 1.8 percent for the 12 months ending October, a slightly larger rise than the 1.7-percent increase for the period ending September. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.3 percent over the last 12 months. The food index rose 2.1 percent over the last 12 months, while the energy index declined 4.2 percent over the last year despite increasing in October.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted 12-mos. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. ended 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 Oct. 2019

Footnotes: (1) Not seasonally adjusted.

Food

The food index increased 0.2 percent in October following a 0.1-percent rise the prior month. The index for food at home rose 0.3 percent, its largest monthly increase since May. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes rose in October. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 0.9 percent after declining in recent months, with the index for fresh fruits increasing 1.6 percent. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased 0.6 percent in October as the index for beef rose 1.3 percent. The indexes for other food at home and for dairy and related products also increased in October.

The index for nonalcoholic beverages fell 0.3 percent in October after rising in September. The index for cereals and bakery products fell 0.1 percent in October, continuing a pattern of alternating increases and declines since March.

The index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent in October after rising 0.3 percent in September. The indexes for full service meals and for limited service meals both rose 0.2 percent. The food away from home index has increased every month since being unchanged in June 2017.

The food at home index increased 1.0 percent over the last 12 months. All the major grocery store food group indexes rose over the period, with increases ranging from 0.6 percent (other food at home) to 1.8 percent (dairy and related products). The index for food away from home rose 3.3 percent over the last year. The index for full service meals increased 3.5 percent and the index for limited service meals rose 3.3 percent.

Energy

The energy index increased 2.7 percent in October after falling in August and September. The gasoline index rose 3.7 percent in October following a 2.4-percent decline in September. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 1.6 percent in October.) Other major energy indexes also rose in October. The electricity index increased 1.6 percent, its largest monthly increase since last October, and the index for natural gas rose 2.4 percent in October after falling in September.

The energy index declined 4.2 percent over the past 12 months. The gasoline index fell 7.3 percent and the fuel oil index decreased 10.6 percent over the year. In contrast, the index for electricity rose 0.4 percent and the index for natural gas advanced 0.2 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in October. The medical care index increased 1.0 percent, its largest monthly increase since August 2016. The index for hospital services rose 1.4 percent and the index for physicians’ services increased 0.2 percent. The index for prescription drugs rose 1.8 percent in October after declining in 4 of the previous 5 months.

The recreation index rose 0.7 percent in October, its largest increase since February 1996. Most of its major component indexes rose, including admissions (2.1 percent) and cable and satellite television services (0.7 percent). The index for used cars and trucks rose 1.3 percent in October after falling 1.6 percent in September.

The shelter index rose 0.1 percent in October. The index for rent rose 0.1 percent, its smallest monthly increase since April 2011. The index for owners’ equivalent rent rose 0.2 percent. The index for lodging away from home fell 3.8 percent in October after rising 2.1 percent in September. The personal care index rose 0.4 percent in October, and the education index rose 0.1 percent.

The apparel index declined in October, falling 1.8 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations fell 0.2 percent in October after rising in 4 of the previous 5 months. The new vehicles index fell 0.2 percent, its fourth consecutive decline. The indexes for airline fares and for tobacco also fell in October, each declining 0.4 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.3 percent over the past 12 months. The shelter index rose 3.3 percent over the 12-month span, and the medical care index rose 4.3 percent. Most other major component indexes increased over the 12-month span, although the apparel, communication, and motor vehicle insurance indexes declined.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 257.346 (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 1.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 250.894 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.6 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.