CPI for all items rises 0.3% in December; shelter and food up

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

• The index for shelter rose 0.4 percent in December and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase.
• The food index increased 0.7 percent over the month as did the food at home index and the food away from home index.
• The index for energy rose 0.3 percent in December.
• The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in December.
• Indexes that increased over the month include recreation, airline fares, medical care, apparel, personal care, and education.
• The indexes for communication, used cars and trucks, and household furnishings and operations were among the major indexes that decreased in December.