The Consumer Price Index for April reversed last month's course and rose by 0.2%. Inflation increases were across the board. Food rose 0.2%, energy 1.1% and all other items together increased 0.1%. Shelter continues on it's tear with a 0.3% monthly increase. Natural gas had a huge monthly increase of 2.2%. Fresh vegetables had the largest monthly jump since February 2011, an increase of 5.1%.
The March Consumer Price Index dropped by -0.3%. That's unusual and a decline in CPI has not happened since February 2016. The reason was volatile gas prices but America finally is catching a break on cell phone service costs too. The gasoline index by itself dropped -6.2% for the month. The bigger surprise is Inflation without food and energy prices considered dropped by -0.1%.
The Consumer Price Index for February returned to Earth with a 0.1% monthly increase. January stayed unrevised at 0.6%. The monthly change was the smallest gain since July 2016. The main cause was gasoline, again, which dropped -3.0% for the month. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.2%. From a year ago overall CPI has now risen 2.7%.
The Consumer Price Index for January really blew up. The monthly change was a whopping 0.6%, the largest monthly gain since February 2013. The main cause was gasoline, which jumped up 7.8% for the month. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.3% as most costs increased.
The November Consumer Price Index increased by 0.2%. Once again, the main causes are shelter, which increased 0.3% for the month and gasoline, which rose 2.7% for the month. Food inflation had no change for the fifth month in a row. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.2% as shelter is part of this measure.
The October Consumer Price Index increased by a high 0.4%. This is a six month high. The usual suspects were shelter, which soared up 0.4% for the month and gasoline, which rose 7.0% for the month. Food inflation had no change for the second month in a row. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.1% as shelter and medical costs are part of this measure.
The Consumer Price Index showed a September 0.3% increase. The culprits were shelter, which soared up 0.4% for the month and gasoline, which rose 5.8% for the month. Food inflation had no change. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.1% as shelter and medical costs are part of core inflation.
The Consumer Price Index had no change for July. Food inflation was a big fat zero and energy costs dropped another -1.6% for the month. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.1% with shelter and medical costs once again driving the increase. From a year ago overall CPI has risen 0.8%.
The June personal income and outlays report shows a 0.4% increase in consumer spending. When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending rose 0.3%. Personal income increased 0.2% while real disposable income increased 0.1% for the month. This is decent growth in PCE. From a year ago, real consumer spending has increased 2.8% while real disposable income has increased 2.2%.
The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.2% for May. Gasoline alone increased another 2.3% for the month. Inflation with food and energy price changes removed increased 0.2% with shelter and medical costs once again driving the increase. From a year ago overall CPI has risen 1.0%. Without energy and food considered, prices have increased 2.2% for the year.
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