Consumer Prices Rose 0.4% in February

Washington, DC, March 10, 2021-The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3% in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.7% before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index continued to increase, rising 6.4% in February and accounting for over half of the seasonally adjusted increase in the all items index. The electricity and natural gas indexes also increased, and the energy index rose 3.9% over the month. The food index rose 0.2% in February, with the index for food at home and the index for food away from home both rising. 

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1% in February. The indexes for shelter, recreation, medical care, and motor vehicle insurance all increased over the month. The indexes for airline fares, used cars and trucks, and apparel all declined in February.