By Nick Dobbins
October 2020
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in October on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.2% in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Component indices were mixed with many offsetting increases and decreases. The food index rose 0.2%, with the food away from home index increasing by 0.3% and a smaller 0.1% rise in the food at home index. The energy index rose 0.1% as the index for electricity increased 1.2%. The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in October following an increase of 0.2% in September. The index for shelter increased 0.1%, which was offset by a 0.4% decrease in the index for medical care. The indices for airline fares, recreation, and new vehicles were among those to rise, while the indices for motor vehicle insurance, apparel, and household furnishings and operations declined.
The all items index rose 1.2% for the 12 months ending October, a slightly smaller increase than the 1.4% increase for the 12-month period ending September. The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.6% over the last 12 months after rising 1.7% in September. The food index increased 3.9% over the last 12 months, while the energy index declined 9.2%.
