By Nick Dobbins
October 2021
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4% in September on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3% in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The indices for food and shelter rose and together contributed more than half of the monthly all items seasonally adjusted increase. The index for food rose 0.9%, with the index for food at home increasing 1.2%. The energy index increased 1.3%, with the gasoline index rising 1.2%. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in September, after increasing 0.1% in August. Along with the index for shelter, the indices for new vehicles, household furnishings and operations, and motor vehicle insurance also rose. The indices for airline fares, apparel, and used cars and trucks all declined over the month.
The all items index rose 5.4% for the 12 months ending September compared to a 5.3% rise for the period ending August. The index for all items less food and energy rose 4.0% over the last 12 months, the same increase as the period ending August. The energy index rose 24.8% over the last 12 months, and the food index increased 4.6% over that period.
