Consumer Price Index rises, medical care index static in September

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) continues to rise, though it has slowed from the sharp increases seen over the summer.

According to a news release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI increased 0.4 percent in September. Over the past 12 months, the all item index increased 5.4 percent before seasonal adjustments.

The medical care index saw little change in September as a 0.8 percent increase in prescription drugs and a 0.1 percent increase for hospital services, was offset by a 0.3 percent decline in the physicians’ service index, the release says.

The food index saw an increases in September and together with shelter accounted for more than half of the monthly all items increase. Food saw an increase of 0.9 percent while the food at home index rose 1.2 percent. The food at home index has seen a 12 month increase of 4.5 percent as all of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased. The largest increase was seen in the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which saw a jump of 10.5 percent

Meanwhile, shelter saw an increase of 0.4 percent, according to the release.

The energy index increased 1.3 percent in September. This is the fourth consecutive month of increase for the index, bringing the 12 month unadjusted index increase to 24.8 percent. Gasoline increased 1.2 percent. The 12 month unadjusted gasoline index rose 42.1 percent, the release says.

Airline fares continued to fall in September decreasing 6.4 percent over the month after a 9.1 percent decrease in August. Apparel also fell last month by 1.1 percent after rising 0.4 percent in August. Used cars and trucks have also continued their decline with a 0.7 percent decrease in September after a 1.5 percent decrease in August, according to the release.