The consumer price index increased by 0.4% in November, as higher prices for energy were only slightly offset by lower prices for groceries and clothing. The Consumer Price Index Summary from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the seasonally adjusted price index rose 0.4% in November after it had risen 0.1% in October, 0.5% in September, 0.4% in August, 0.1% in July, and after it was unchanged in June and had fallen 0.1% in May.
The Consumer Price Index for April reversed last month's course and rose by 0.2%. Inflation increases were across the board. Food rose 0.2%, energy 1.1% and all other items together increased 0.1%. Shelter continues on it's tear with a 0.3% monthly increase. Natural gas had a huge monthly increase of 2.2%. Fresh vegetables had the largest monthly jump since February 2011, an increase of 5.1%.
The March Consumer Price Index dropped by -0.3%. That's unusual and a decline in CPI has not happened since February 2016. The reason was volatile gas prices but America finally is catching a break on cell phone service costs too. The gasoline index by itself dropped -6.2% for the month. The bigger surprise is Inflation without food and energy prices considered dropped by -0.1%.
The Consumer Price Index for February returned to Earth with a 0.1% monthly increase. January stayed unrevised at 0.6%. The monthly change was the smallest gain since July 2016. The main cause was gasoline, again, which dropped -3.0% for the month. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.2%. From a year ago overall CPI has now risen 2.7%.
The Consumer Price Index for January really blew up. The monthly change was a whopping 0.6%, the largest monthly gain since February 2013. The main cause was gasoline, which jumped up 7.8% for the month. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.3% as most costs increased.
The seasonally adjusted Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.3% in December as prices for finished wholesale goods increased 0.7%, while margins of final services providers increased by 0.1%. This followed a November report that indicated the overall PPI had increased 0.4%, with prices for finished goods up 0.2% while final demand for services rose 0.5%, and an October report that indicated the PPI was unchanged, with prices for finished goods up 0.4% while final demand for services fell 0.3%.
The November Consumer Price Index increased by 0.2%. Once again, the main causes are shelter, which increased 0.3% for the month and gasoline, which rose 2.7% for the month. Food inflation had no change for the fifth month in a row. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.2% as shelter is part of this measure.
The October Consumer Price Index increased by a high 0.4%. This is a six month high. The usual suspects were shelter, which soared up 0.4% for the month and gasoline, which rose 7.0% for the month. Food inflation had no change for the second month in a row. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.1% as shelter and medical costs are part of this measure.
The Consumer Price Index showed a September 0.3% increase. The culprits were shelter, which soared up 0.4% for the month and gasoline, which rose 5.8% for the month. Food inflation had no change. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.1% as shelter and medical costs are part of core inflation.
The Consumer Price Index had no change for July. Food inflation was a big fat zero and energy costs dropped another -1.6% for the month. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.1% with shelter and medical costs once again driving the increase. From a year ago overall CPI has risen 0.8%.
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