The index for all items less food and energy fell 0.1 percent in January. This decline was largely the result of decreases in the indexes for shelter, new vehicles, and airline fares. In contrast, the medical care index posted its largest increase since January 2008, and the index for used cars and trucks increased significantly for the sixth month in a row.
The food index increased in January, with the food at home component posting its largest increase since September 2008. Sharp increases in the indexes for dairy and related products and for fruits and vegetables accounted for most of the increase.
Food
The food index rose 0.2 percent in January. The food at home index increased 0.4 percent, with four of the six grocery store food groups posting increases. The index for dairy and related products rose 2.1 percent in January, but still has declined over the past 12 months. The index for fruits and vegetables increased 1.3 percent due to a 2.8 percent increase in the index for fresh fruits. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.4 percent and the index for nonalcoholic beverages advanced 0.2 percent. The indexes for cereals and bakery products declined in January, falling 0.5 percent, and the index for other food at home declined 0.3 percent. The index for food away from home increased 0.1 percent in January. Over the last 12 months, the food index has declined 0.4 percent with the food at home index down 2.0 percent and the index for food away from home up 1.6 percent.
Energy
The energy index rose 2.8 percent in January, its ninth consecutive increase. The index for energy commodities increased 4.9 percent, with the gasoline index rising 4.4 percent. The index for household energy rose 0.5 percent in January. The fuel oil index increased 6.1 percent and the index for natural gas rose 3.5 percent, while the electricity index declined 1.1 percent. Over the past 12 months, the energy index has risen 19.1 percent, with the gasoline index up 51.3 percent but the index for household energy down 3.5 percent.
All items less food and energy
The index for all items less food and energy declined 0.1 percent in January after rising 0.1 percent in December. The shelter index declined 0.5 percent. The index for lodging away from home fell 2.1 percent, while the rent index was unchanged and the index for owners' equivalent rent declined 0.1 percent. The index for new vehicles fell 0.5 percent, its second consecutive decline, and the index for airline fares turned down in January, falling 2.5 percent after increasing in each of the past six months. The indexes for household furnishings and operations, for apparel, and for recreation all decreased 0.1 percent in January. In contrast, the medical care index rose 0.5 percent. The index for medical care commodities rose 0.7 percent and the medical care services index advanced 0.5 percent. Also increasing was the index for used cars and trucks, which rose 1.5 percent in January and has increased 12.9 percent over the past six months. The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.6 percent over the past 12 months.
Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 216.687 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 212.568 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.4 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.
The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.8 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.4 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2008 period are subject to revision.
