US Consumer Price Index Rises 3.7% Year-Over-Year in September

On Wednesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.6% in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, following a 0.4% increase in August. Over the past 12 months, the all-items index increased 3.7% before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index rose 9.1% in September, accounting for more than half of the monthly increase in the all-items index. The energy index increased 5.2%, following a 2.1% rise in August. Shelter prices rose 0.4%, compared with a 0.3% increase in August. The food index was unchanged, with food away from home up 0.2% and food at home down 0.1%.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3% in September, matching August’s increase. Monthly increases were recorded for recreation, used cars and trucks, education, airline fares, medical care, and apparel. Communication was among the few major indexes to decline.

Year-over-year, the all-items index rose 3.7% in September, accelerating from a 3.4% increase in August. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.6%, compared with a 2.4% increase in August. The energy index increased 20.4%, while the food index rose 2.5%.