CPI Rises in October

 

Chart 1. One-month percent change in CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), seasonally adjusted, October 2009 to October 2010.
Courtesy of US Census Bureau

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.2 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

As has frequently been the case in recent months, an increase in the energy index was the major factor in the all items seasonally adjusted increase. The gasoline index rose for the fourth month in a row and accounted for almost 90 percent of the all items increase; the household energy index rose as well. More expensive gas will affect your running a landscape business and operating maintenance equipment, trucks and utility vehicles.

The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in October, the third month in a row with no change. The indexes for shelter and medical care rose, but these increases were offset by declines in an array of indexes including new vehicles, used cars and trucks, apparel, recreation and tobacco. The energy index has risen 5.9 percent over that span with the gasoline index up 9.5 percent. The food index has risen 1.4 percent, with both the food at home index and food away from home index rising the same 1.4 percent.

- Courtesy of US Census Bureau