CPI Increased Broadly in October

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.2 percent in October. The increase was broad-based, with modest increases in the indexes for food, energy and all items less food and energy.

The energy index rose 0.3 percent in October after declining by 4.7 percent in September, as prices for gasoline increased by 0.4 percent on the month after a 9.0 percent fall in September. The electricity index increased as well, rising by 0.4 percent. Energy prices have fallen by 17.1 percent over the last 12 months.

Prices for non-food and energy items increased 0.2 percent, the same as in the previous month. The increase was tied to the continued rise of the shelter index, which rose 0.3 percent for the second consecutive month. Prices for medical care services and medical care commodities increased 0.8 and 0.2 percent respectively, while the indices for both new and used vehicles fell 0.2 and 0.3 percent.

Food prices grew 0.1 percent, the smallest increase since May. The index for food at home rose 0.1 percent, while the index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent. Over the last year, prices for food at home increased 0.7 percent, while prices for food away from home increased by 2.9 percent.

Read the BLS release.