WEST REGION CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) - DECEMBER 2009

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the West declined 0.2 percent in December 2009. During the past 12 months, overall prices advanced 2.2 percent. Regional Commissioner Stanley W. Suchman noted the special aggregate index for energy decreased 0.8 percent for the month, but jumped 28.0 percent since December 2008. The special index for all items less food and energy declined 0.2 percent over the past month, but rose 0.9 percent on an annual basis. Regional CPI area data are not seasonally adjusted.

The housing index, which comprises approximately 45 percent of the all items index, declined 0.2 percent in December and 0.9 percent over the past year. The index for shelter, the largest housing component, decreased 0.2 percent for the month and 1.3 percent for the year. Prices for household fuels and utilities were virtually unchanged in December, but advanced 3.0 percent from a year ago. Household electricity prices edged up 0.2 percent for the month and rose 5.2 percent over the year. Utility (piped) gas service costs decreased 1.4 percent for the month and 9.2 percent since December of last year. Prices for household furnishings and operations edged up 0.2 percent for the month, but fell 1.5 percent for the year.

The food and beverages index was unchanged over the month, but fell 1.5 percent over the year. The food at home index, which measures grocery prices, was also unchanged since last month, but declined 4.5 percent from a year ago. The food away from home index was virtually unchanged for the month, yet advanced 1.9 percent for the year. Prices for alcoholic beverages decreased 0.5 percent in the month of December and rose 0.8 percent for the year.

Prices for transportation edged down 0.1 percent for the month, but were 14.0 percent higher than a year ago. Gasoline prices fell 1.2 percent for the month, but jumped 57.0 percent since December 2008. Prices for new and used motor vehicles increased 0.2 percent in the past month and advanced 5.7 percent over the past 12 months.

Medical care prices inched up 0.1 percent last month and increased 4.3 percent for the year. In December, prices for medical care commodities slipped down 0.2 percent, yet medical care services prices were barely changed. Over the latest 12-month period, prices for medical care commodities and medical care services advanced 3.4 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively.

Apparel prices decreased 2.1 percent in December 2009. Despite the monthly decline, apparel prices increased 1.4 percent over the year. Prices for recreation fell 0.5 percent for the month and were down 1.4 percent since December 2008.

Along with medical care and food and beverages, the two remaining indexes -- other goods and services and education and communication -- had little impact on the overall December index. Prices for other goods and services edged up 0.2 percent during the past month and rose 5.5 percent for the year. Education and communication prices edged 0.1 percent lower, but were 2.5 percent higher than in December 2008.

The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the West stood at 219.307 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $219.31 in December 2009.

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