Consumer Prices Inched Up 0.1% in August

Washington, DC, September 12, 2019--The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1% in August on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3% in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. 

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.7% before seasonal adjustment.

Increases in the indexes for shelter and medical care were the major factors in the seasonally adjusted all items monthly increase, outweighing a decline in the energy index. The energy index fell 1.9% in August as the gasoline index declined 3.5%. The food index was unchanged for the third month in a row.    

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3% in August, the same increase as in June and July. Along with the indexes for medical care and shelter, the indexes for recreation, used cars and trucks, and airline fares were among the indexes that increased in August. The indexes for new vehicles and household furnishings and operations declined over the month. 

The all items index increased 1.7% for the 12 months ending August; the12-month increase has remained in the range of 1.5% to 2.0% since the period ending December 2018. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.4% over the last 12 months, its largest 12-month increase since July 2018. The food index rose 1.7% over the last year while the energy index declined

4.4%.