February Consumer Prices Inched Up 0.1%

Washington, DC, March 15, 2017— The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 2.7% before seasonal adjustment.

The February increase was the smallest 1-month rise in the seasonally adjusted all items index since July 2016.

The gasoline index declined, partially offsetting increases in several indexes, including food, shelter, and recreation.

The energy index fell 1.0%, with the decline in gasoline outweighing increases in the other energy component indexes.

The food index increased 0.2% over the month, its largest rise since September 2015.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in February. The indexes for shelter, recreation, apparel, airline fares, motor vehicle insurance, education, and medical care were among those that increased in February.

Indexes that declined include communication, used cars and trucks, new vehicles, and household furnishings and operations. 

The all items index rose 2.7% for the 12 months ending February; the 12-month increase has been trending upward since a July 2016 trough of 0.8%. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2% over the last 12 months; this was the fifteenth straight month the 12-month change remained in the range of 2.1% to 2.3%.

The energy index rose 15.2% over the last year, while the food index was unchanged.