Consumer Prices Inched Upward in November

Washington, DC, December 15, 2016—The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported. Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 1.7% before seasonal adjustment.

The shelter and gasoline indexes continued to rise in November and were again the main reasons for the seasonally adjusted all items increase. The shelter index advanced 0.3% in November, while the gasoline index increased 2.7%.

The food index was unchanged in November, as the index for food at home fell 0.1%, its seventh consecutive decline. The energy index increased 1.2%, although gasoline was the only major energy component index to increase over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in November after rising 0.1% in October. The shelter index accounted for most of the increase, but the indexes for motor vehicle insurance, education, communication, and used cars and trucks also rose. The medical care index was unchanged over the month. Several indexes declined in November, including apparel, household furnishings and operations, airline fares, and new vehicles.

The all items index rose 1.7% for the 12 months ending November; the 12-month all items increase has been rising since it was 0.8% in July. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.1% for the 12 months ending November, and the energy index increased 1.1%. In contrast, the food index declined 0.4% over the last 12 months.