November 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 0.3 percent in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.4 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.1 percent before seasonal adjustment.

Increases in the shelter and energy indexes were major factors in the seasonally adjusted monthly increase of the all items index. Increases in the indexes for medical care, for recreation, and for food also contributed to the overall increase. The gasoline index rose 1.1 percent in November and the other major energy component indexes also increased. The food index rose 0.1 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 November, the same increase as in October. Along with the indexes for shelter, for medical care, and for recreation, the indexes for used cars and trucks and for apparel also rose in November. The new vehicles index fell in November, as did the index for airline fares.

The all items index increased 2.1 percent for the 12 months ending November, a larger rise than the 1.8-percent increase for the period ending October. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.3 percent over the last 12 months. The food index rose 2.0 percent over the last l2 months, while the energy index declined 0.6 percent over the last year.

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

Footnotes: (1) Not seasonally adjusted.

Food

The food index increased 0.1 percent in November following a 0.2-percent rise the prior month. The index for food at home also rose 0.1 percent, after increasing 0.3 percent in October. Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in November. The index for dairy and related products rose 0.6 percent over the month. The indexes for nonalcoholic beverages; meat, poultry, fish, and eggs; and cereals and bakery products also increased in November.

The index for fruits and vegetables fell 0.7 percent in November after rising 0.9 percent in October, with the fresh fruit index declining 1.6 percent. The index for other food at home was unchanged over the month.

The index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent in November, as it did in October. The indexes for full service meals increased 0.3 percent in November, while the index for limited service meals increased 0.1 percent over the month. 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 0.4 percent (both the other food at home index and the fruits and vegetables index) to 2.6 percent (the dairy and related products index). The index for food away from home rose 3.2 percent over the last year, as the index for full service meals increased 3.6 percent and the index for limited service meals rose 3.0 percent.

Energy

The energy index increased 0.8 percent in November after rising 2.7 percent in October. The gasoline index rose 1.1 percent in November following a 3.7-percent increase in October. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 1.1 percent in November.) Other major energy indexes also rose in November, with the index for natural gas rising 1.1 percent and the index for electricity increasing 0.3 percent.

The energy index declined 0.6 percent over the past 12 months. The gasoline index fell 1.2 percent and the fuel oil index decreased 6.7 percent over the year. In contrast, the index for natural gas rose 1.l percent and the index for electricity advanced 0.5 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in November, as it did in October. The medical care index increased 0.3 percent. The index for hospital services also rose 0.3 percent and the index for physicians' services increased 0.1 percent. The index for prescription drugs fell 0.1 percent in November after increasing 1.8 percent in October.

The shelter index rose 0.3 percent in November. The index for rent also rose 0.3 percent, while the index for owners’ equivalent rent increased 0.2 percent over the month. The index for lodging away from home rose 1.1 percent in November after falling 3.8 percent in October. The education index and the apparel index both increased 0.1 percent over the month.

The recreation index rose 0.4 percent in November, after rising 0.7 percent in October. Most of its major component indexes increased, including cable and satellite television services (0.4 percent) and sporting goods (0.9 percent). The index for used cars and trucks rose 0.6 percent in November after rising 1.3 percent in October.

The new vehicles index fell 0.1 percent in November, its fifth consecutive decline. The index for airline fares fell 0.9 percent in November, while the index for motor vehicle insurance fell 0.2 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations was unchanged in November.

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 4.2 percent. Most other major component indexes increased over the 12-month span, although the indexes for apparel, for used cars and trucks, and for motor vehicle insurance declined.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 257.208 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 250.644 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.9 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index decreased 0.1 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.