Consumer Prices Rose 0.6% in January, Largest Gain in Four Years

Washington, DC, February 15, 2017—The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6% in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 2.5% before seasonal adjustment.

The January increase was the largest seasonally adjusted all items increase since February 2013. A sharp rise in the gasoline index accounted for nearly half the increase, and advances in the indexes for shelter, apparel, and new vehicles also were major contributors. 

The energy index increased 4.0% in January as the gasoline index advanced 7.8% and the index for natural gas also increased.

The food index, which had been unchanged for six consecutive months, increased 0.1%.

The food at home index was unchanged, while the index for food away from home rose 0.4%.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3% in January. Most of the major component indexes increased in January, with the indexes for apparel, new vehicles, motor vehicle insurance, and airline fares all rising 0.8% or more.

The shelter index rose 0.2%, a smaller increase than in recent months.

The all items index rose 2.5% for the 12 months ending January, the largest 12-month increase since March 2012. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.3% over the last 12 months, and the energy index increased 10.8%, its largest 12-month increase since November 2011. In contrast, the food index declined 0.2% over the last 12 months.