Consumer Prices Held Steady in July

Washington, DC, August 16, 2016—The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 0.8% before seasonal adjustment.

The energy index declined in July and the food index was unchanged. The index

for all items less food and energy rose, but posted its smallest increase since March. As a result, the all items index was unchanged after rising in each of the four previous months.

The energy index fell 1.6% after rising in each of the last four months.

The decline was due to a sharp decrease in the gasoline index; other energy indexes were mixed. The food at home index declined 0.2% as four of the six major grocery store food group indexes decreased, while the index for food away from home rose 0.2%.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1% in July after rising 0.2% in June. The shelter index rose 0.2%, its smallest increase since March, and the indexes for medical care, new vehicles, and motor vehicle insurance also rose. In contrast, the indexes for airline fares, used cars and trucks, communication, and recreation were among those that declined in July.

The all items index rose 0.8% for the 12 months ending July, a smaller increase than the 1.0% rise for the 12 months ending June. Similarly, the index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2% for the 12 months ending July, a smaller increase than the 2.3% rise for the 12 months ending June.