The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent in April on a not seasonally adjusted basis. The April level of 119.543 (December 1999=100) was 2.3 percent higher than in April 2006. Please note that the indexes for the post-2005 period are subject to revision.
CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U advanced 0.4 percent in April, following a 0.6 percent increase in March. The index for energy increased 2.4 percent after advancing 5.9 percent in March. In April, the index for petroleum-based energy rose 4.6 percent versus a 10.1 percent increase in March. The food index rose 0.4 percent in April, slightly more than in March. The index for all items less food and energy advanced 0.2 percent in April, following a 0.1 percent rise in March; the index for shelter rose 0.3 percent after advancing 0.1 percent in March, resulting from an upturn in the index for lodging away from home.
During the first four months of 2007, the CPI-U rose at a 4.8 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 2.5 percent for all of 2006. The acceleration thus far this year was due to larger increases in the energy and food components. The index for energy advanced at a 25.3 percent SAAR in the first four months of 2007 compared with 2.9 percent in 2006. Petroleum-based energy costs increased at a 40.0 percent annual rate and charges for energy services rose at a 9.4 percent annual rate. The food index has increased at a 6.7 percent SAAR thus far this year, following a 2.1 percent rise for all of 2006. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U advanced at a 2.2 percent SAAR in the first four months, following a 2.6 percent rise for all of 2006.
The food and beverages index rose 0.4 percent in April. The index for food at home increased 0.5 percent, following a 0.4 percent rise in March. Upturns in the indexes for fruits and vegetables and for cereal and bakery products were partially offset by smaller increases or downturns in the other four major grocery store food groups. The index for fruits and vegetables, which declined 1.4 percent in March, rose 0.4 percent in April. The indexes for fresh vegetables and for processed fruits and vegetables increased 1.6 and 0.6 percent, respectively, while the index for fresh fruits declined 0.9 percent. The index for cereal and bakery products advanced 0.9 percent after declining 0.3 percent in March; bread prices rose 2.0 percent. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which increased 1.1 percent in March, advanced 0.9 percent in April. Prices for beef, and for poultry rose sharply for the second consecutive month-up 1.8 and 1.5 percent, respectively-while the indexes for pork and for other meats turned down after registering large increases in March. The indexes for dairy products and for other food at home each rose 0.5 percent, while index for nonalcoholic beverages declined 0.8 percent, largely as a result of a decline in prices for carbonated drinks. The other two components of the food and beverages index-food away from home and alcoholic beverages-increased 0.3 and 0.2 percent, respectively.
The index for housing rose 0.2 percent in April, the same as in March. The index for shelter increased 0.3 percent in April, following an increase of 0.1 percent in March. Within shelter, the indexes for rent and owners' equivalent rent each increased 0.2 percent. The index for lodging away from home, which declined 2.3 percent in March, advanced 1.9 percent. The index for household energy declined 0.1 percent as a 1.0 percent decrease in the index for natural gas was partially offset by increases in the indexes for fuel oil and for electricity--up 2.1 and 0.1 percent, respectively. The index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.3 percent.
The transportation index rose 1.2 percent in April, reflecting a 4.7 percent increase in the index for motor fuels. Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 10.2 percent in April, but were 5.0 percent lower than their peak level recorded in July 2006.) The index for new vehicles was virtually unchanged.(Prior to seasonal adjustment, new vehicle prices declined 0.2 percent in April and were 1.0 percent lower than in April 2006.) The index for used cars and trucks also was virtually unchanged in April. The index for public transportation declined 0.4 percent in April, reflecting a 0.9 percent decrease in the index for airline fares. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, airline fares rose 1.0 percent.)
The index for apparel declined 0.3 percent in April, following a 1.0 percent decrease in March. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel prices rose 0.3 percent. Prices for men's and boys'apparel registered the largest advance-up 1.3 percent.)
Medical care costs rose 0.4 percent in April and are 4.0 percent higher than a year ago. The index for medical care commodities-prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies-increased 0.4 percent, as did the index for medical care services. Within the later group, the index for professional services was virtually unchanged, while the index for hospital and related services increased 0.8 percent.
The index for recreation rose 0.1 percent in April. Increases in the indexes for club membership dues and fees for participant sports, for admissions to movies, theaters, concerts, and sporting events, and for fees for lessons and instructions-up 0.6, 0.6 and 0.5 percent, respectively-offset declines in the indexes for photography, for pets, pet products and services, and for other recreational goods.
The index for education and communication increased 0.3 percent in April. Educational costs rose 0.4 percent and the index for communication costs rose 0.1 percent. Within the communication group, the index for telephone services rose 0.1 percent. Land-line local service charges increased 0.5 percent, while long distance charges declined 0.2 percent and wireless telephone service charges were unchanged. The indexes for personal computers and peripheral equipment and for computer software and accessories declined 0.2 and 1.0 percent, respectively. The index for internet services and electronic information providers advanced for the second consecutive month-up 0.6 percent in April-but was 23.5 percent lower than a year ago.
The index for other goods and services increased 0.3 percent in April. A 0.4 percent decline in the index for tobacco and smoking products was more than offset by an increase in the index for personal care. Charges for laundry and dry cleaning services rose 1.5 percent.
CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increased 0.5 percent in April.
