Consumer Prices Rose 0.1% in May

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

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.8% before seasonal adjustment.

The food index rose 0.3% in May after declining in April, with the food index accounting for nearly half of the May seasonally adjusted all items monthly increase. The energy index fell 0.6% in May, with the gasoline index falling 0.5% and the indexes for electricity and

natural gas also declining in May.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1% for the fourth consecutive month. The indexes for shelter, medical care, airline fares, education, household furnishings and operations, and new vehicles all rose in May. The indexes for used cars and trucks, recreation, and motor vehicle insurance were among those that declined over the month.    

The all items index increased 1.8% for the 12 months ending May. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.0% over the last 12 months, and the food index also rose 2.0%. The energy index decreased 0.5% over the past year.