The gasoline index rose sharply in February, accounting for over 80 percent of the change in the all items index. The gasoline increase led to a 3.2 percent rise in the energy index despite a decline in the index for natural gas. The food index was unchanged in February, with the food at home index unchanged for the second month in a row as major grocery store food indexes were mixed.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in February after increasing 0.2 percent in January. Indexes for shelter, new vehicles, medical care, and household furnishings and operations all advanced, while indexes for apparel, recreation, used cars and trucks, and tobacco all declined.
The all items index has risen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months, the same figure as last month. The index for all items less food and energy was up 2.2 percent, a slight decline from last month's 2.3 percent figure, while the 12-month change in the food index fell to 3.9 percent in February, its lowest level since last June. In contrast, the 12-month change in the energy index was 7.0 percent in February compared to 6.1 percent in January.
Food
The food index, which rose 0.2 percent in January, was unchanged in February. The food at home index was unchanged for the second month in a row. Within the food at home group, the indexes for fruits and vegetables continued to decline, falling 0.5 percent. The index for fresh fruits rose 1.3 percent, but the fresh vegetables index fell 3.5 percent, its fifth consecutive decline. The index for dairy and related products also fell 0.5 percent, while the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs decreased 0.2 percent. The index for nonalcoholic beverages, which declined in January, was unchanged in February. The only major grocery store food group indexes to rise were cereals and bakery products (up 0.2 percent) and other food at home (up 0.4 percent). The food at home index has risen 4.5 percent over the last 12 months; the fruits and vegetables index has declined 2.0 percent over that period but the other five major grocery store food group indexes all increased. The index for food away from home rose 0.1 percent in February after a 0.4 percent increase in January and has risen 3.1 percent over the last 12 months.
Energy
The energy index rose 3.2 percent in February after a 0.2 percent increase in January. The gasoline index rose 6.0 percent, its largest increase since December 2010. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices increased 4.9 percent in February.) The gasoline increase more than offset a decline in the index for household energy, which fell 0.6 percent. The index for natural gas continued its string of declines, falling 3.4 percent. The electricity index was unchanged and the index for fuel oil increased 2.8 percent. Over the last 12 months, the gasoline index has risen 12.6 percent, the fuel oil index has increased 8.9 percent and the electricity index has advanced 1.9 percent. In contrast, the index for natural gas has declined 9.8 percent.
All items less food and energy The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent in February. The shelter index increased 0.2 percent for the fifth month in a row. The rent index increased 0.2 percent and the index for owners' equivalent rent rose 0.1 percent, while the index for lodging away from home advanced 1.9 percent. The index for new vehicles rose for the first time since June, increasing 0.6 percent. The medical care index increased 0.2 percent with the prescription drugs index rising 0.6 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations rose 0.3 percent in February, its largest increase since August. In contrast to these indexes, the apparel index declined in February, falling 0.9 percent after a 0.9 percent increase in January. The index for used cars and trucks declined for the sixth month in a row, falling 0.2 percent, and the tobacco index declined 0.4 percent. The indexes for recreation, personal care, and airline fares all posted slight declines in February.
The index for all items less food and energy has risen 2.2 percent over the last 12 months. Indexes rising faster include apparel (4.2 percent), medical care (3.4 percent), new vehicles (3.0 percent) and used cars and trucks (2.9 percent). Among those indexes rising more slowly were shelter (2.0 percent), household furnishings and operations (1.3 percent), and recreation (1.0 percent).
Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.9 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 227.663 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.4 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.
The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.1 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 224.317 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.5 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.
The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 2.6 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.4 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2010 period are subject to revision.
The Eckerman Group
Real Estate and Wealth Building Education
7345 South Durango Drive
Suite B107 #13
Las Vegas NV 89113
(702)900-9372
info@theeckermangroup.com
No comments:
Post a Comment