Consumer Price Index Rose 0.2% in May

Washington, DC, June 12, 2018-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% in May on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.2% in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 2.8% before seasonal adjustment. The indexes for gasoline and shelter were the largest factors in the seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index, as they were in April. The gasoline index increased 1.7%, more than offsetting declines in some of the other energy component indexes and led to a 0.9% rise in the energy index. The medical care index rose 0.2%. The food index was unchanged over the month. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in May. The shelter index rose 0.3% in May. The indexes for new vehicles, education and communication, and tobacco increased in May, while the indexes for household furnishing and operations, and used cars and trucks fell. The indexes for apparel, recreation, and personal care were unchanged.

 The all items index rose 2.8% for the 12 months ending May, continuing its upward trend since the beginning of the year. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2% for the 12 months ending May. The food index increased 1.2%, and the energy index rose 11.75%.