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BLS 10-04 |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA area declined 0.3 percent in December, following a monthly decline of 0.4 percent in November. Richard J. Holden noted lower prices for the major expenditure categories of housing and, to a lesser extent, recreation, contributed to the overall decline. For the year ending December 2009, overall prices increased 1.8 percent, primarily due to higher energy prices. The special aggregate index for energy increased 36.0 percent since December 2008, while during this same period the special index for all items less food and energy did not change. Local Consumer Price Index data are not seasonally adjusted.
The housing index declined 0.4 percent in December and 0.9 percent compared to 12 months ago. The shelter sub-index of housing declined 0.5 percent for the month and 1.5 percent for the year. Household fuels and utilities advanced 0.8 percent for the month and 7.3 percent since December 2008. Prices for utility (piped) gas service rose by 2.7 percent in December, but declined 2.8 percent since last year. Electricity prices increased 0.5 percent for the month and 10.2 percent for the year. Prices for household furnishings and operations declined 0.9 percent in December and were 2.9 percent lower than one year ago.
Transportation prices did not change in December, yet rose 14.0 percent for the year. Gasoline prices declined 1.3 percent in December. Between December 2008 and December 2009, gasoline prices jumped 60.2 percent. This compared to a 21.5 percent rise in gasoline prices from November 2008 to November 2009. The December 2009 annual increase was the largest since March 1980. The transportation index comprises slightly more than 16 percent of the Los Angeles CPI all items index.
The Los Angeles area’s food and beverages index rose 0.3 percent in December. Over the past 12 months, prices for food and beverages declined 1.2 percent. The food at home index, which measures grocery prices, increased 0.6 percent for the month, but decreased 4.2 percent for the year. Food away from home prices edged down 0.1 percent in December, but increased 1.9 percent since a year ago. Prices for alcoholic beverages increased 0.4 percent over the month and 3.5 percent over the year.
Medical care prices advanced 0.2 percent for the month and 3.2 percent for the year.
In addition to housing, the four remaining major expenditure categories contributed to December’s decrease in the all items index. Recreation prices dropped 2.0 percent for the month and 6.4 percent for the year. Apparel prices declined 0.7 percent last month. Compared with last year, apparel prices rose 3.4 percent.
Education and communication prices inched down 0.1 percent in December, but rose 1.8 percent in the past 12 months. The other goods and services index edged down 0.2 percent for the month, but rose 4.4 percent from one year ago.
The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, stands at 223.643 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $223.64 in December 2009.
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Last Modified Date: January 15, 2010
