The Consumer Price Index Rose 8.2% in the Year through September, Faster than Expected

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in September on a
seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.1 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 8.2 percent before seasonal
adjustment.

Increases in the shelter, food, and medical care indexes were the largest of many contributors to
the monthly seasonally adjusted all items increase. These increases were partly offset by a
4.9-percent decline in the gasoline index. The food index continued to rise, increasing 0.8 percent
over the month as the food at home index rose 0.7 percent. The energy index fell 2.1 percent over
the month as the gasoline index declined, but the natural gas and electricity indexes increased.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.6 percent in September, as it did in August. The
indexes for shelter, medical care, motor vehicle insurance, new vehicles, household furnishings and
operations, and education were among those that increased over the month. There were some indexes
that declined in September, including those for used cars and trucks, apparel, and communication.

The all items index increased 8.2 percent for the 12 months ending September, a slightly smaller
figure than the 8.3-percent increase for the period ending August. The all items less food and
energy index rose 6.6 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 19.8 percent for
the 12 months ending September, a smaller increase than the 23.8-percent increase for the period 
ending August. The food index increased 11.2 percent over the last year. 

Food

The food index increased 0.8 percent in September, the same increase as August. The food at home
index rose 0.7 percent in September as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. The
index for fruits and vegetables rose 1.6 percent, while the index for cereals and bakery products
rose 0.9 percent over the month. The index for other food at home increased 0.5 percent in September,
after rising 1.1 percent in August. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.4 percent
over the month while the index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 0.6 percent in September. The
dairy and related products index rose 0.3 percent in September, the same increase as the previous
month.

The food away from home index rose 0.9 percent in September, as it did in August. The index for full
service meals increased 0.4 percent and the index for limited service meals increased 0.6 percent
over the month. The food at employee sites and schools index rose 44.9 percent in September,
reflecting the expiration of some free school lunch programs.

The food at home index rose 13.0 percent over the last 12 months. The index for cereals and bakery
products increased 16.2 percent over the year and the index for dairy and related products rose 15.9
percent. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 9.0 percent
(meats, poultry, fish, and eggs) to 15.7 percent (other food at home).

The index for food away from home rose 8.5 percent over the last year. The index for full service
meals rose 8.8 percent over the last 12 months, and the index for limited service meals rose 7.1
percent over the same period. 

Energy

The energy index declined 2.1 percent in September after falling 5.0 percent in August. The gasoline
index fell 4.9 percent over the month following a 10.6-percent decrease in August. (Before seasonal
adjustment, gasoline prices fell 5.6 percent in September.) However, the index for natural gas
increased in September, rising 2.9 percent after increasing 3.5 percent in August. The electricity
index also increased over the month, rising 0.4 percent.

The energy index rose 19.8 percent over the past 12 months. The gasoline index increased 18.2
percent over the span and the fuel oil index rose 58.1 percent. The index for electricity rose 15.5
percent over the last 12 months, and the index for natural gas increased 33.1 percent over the same
period.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.6 percent in September, following an identical
increase in August. The shelter index continued to increase, rising 0.7 percent in September, also
the same as in August. The rent index rose 0.8 percent in September. The owners' equivalent rent
index also increased 0.8 percent over the month, the largest monthly increase in that index since
June 1990. The index for lodging away from home fell 1.0 percent over the month. 

The medical care index rose 0.8 percent in September after rising 0.7 percent in August. The index
for physicians' services increased 0.5 percent over the month, while the index for hospital services
increased 0.1 percent. The index for prescription drugs fell 0.1 percent in September.

The index for motor vehicle insurance continued to rise, increasing 1.6 percent in September after
rising 1.3 percent in August. The new vehicles index increased 0.7 percent over the month, and the
household furnishings and operations index rose 0.5 percent in September. Other indexes that
increased in September include personal care (+0.4 percent), education (+0.4 percent), airline 
fares (+0.8 percent), and recreation (+0.1 percent).

A few indexes declined over the month, including the index for used cars and trucks, which fell 1.1
percent in September after decreasing 0.1 percent in August. The apparel index fell 0.3 percent over
the month, and the communication index decreased 0.1 percent in September.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 6.6 percent over the past 12 months, the largest
12-month increase in that index since August 1982. The shelter index also rose 6.6 percent over the
last year, accounting for over 40 percent of the total increase in all items less food and energy.
Other indexes with notable increases over the last year include medical care (+6.0 percent),
household furnishings and operations (+9.3 percent), new vehicles (+9.4 percent), and used cars and
trucks (+7.2 percent). 

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 8.2 percent over the last 12
months to an index level of 296.808 (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 8.5 percent
over the last 12 months to an index level of 291.854 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index
increased 0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.  

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 8.0 percent over the
last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis.
Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.