By Nick Dobbins
December 2020
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% in November on a seasonally adjusted basis after being unchanged in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The increase in the all items index was broad-based, with no component accounting for more than a quarter of the increase. The food index declined in November, as a decrease in the food at home index more than offset a small increase in the food away from home index. The index for energy rose, as increases in indices for natural gas and electricity more than offset a decline in the index for gasoline. The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2% after being unchanged the prior month. The indices for lodging away from home, household furnishings and operations, recreation, apparel, airline fares, and motor vehicle insurance all increased in November. The indices for used cars and trucks, medical care, and new vehicles all declined over the month.
The all items index rose 1.2% for the 12 months ending November, the same increase as for the period ending October. The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.6% over the last 12 months, also the same increase as the period ending October. The food index rose 3.7% over the last 12 months, while the energy index fell 9.4%.
