Consumer Prices Inched Up in February

Washington, DC, March 13, 2018-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.5% in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 2.2% before seasonal adjustment.

The indexes for shelter, apparel, and motor vehicle insurance all rose and contributed to the one-month seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index.

The food index was unchanged in February, as a decline in the index for food at home offset an increase in the food away from home index. The energy index increased slightly, with its component indexes mixed.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2% in February, following a 0.3% increase in January. Along with shelter, apparel, and motor vehicle insurance, the indexes for household furnishings and operations, education, personal care, and airline fares also increased in February. In contrast, the indexes for communication, new vehicles, medical care, and used cars and trucks declined over the month.

The all items index rose 2.2% for the 12 months ending February, a slightly larger increase than the 2.1% rise for the 12 months ending January. The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.8% over the past year, while the energy index increased 7.7% and the food index advanced 1.4%.