FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000 USDL-99-254 CPI QUICKLINE: (202) 606-6994 TRANSMISSION OF FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL MATERIAL IN THIS INFORMATION: (202) 606-7828 RELEASE IS EMBARGOED MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 606-5902 UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EDT) INTERNET ADDRESS: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: AUGUST 1999 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2 percent in August, before seasonal adjustment, to a level of 167.1 (1982- 84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in August, the CPI-U increased 2.3 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.3 in August, prior to seasonal adjustment. The August level of 163.8 was 2.4 percent higher than the index in August 1998. CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U increased 0.3 percent in August, the same as in July. Energy costs increased sharply for the second consecutive month--up 2.7 percent in August--accounting for about two-thirds of the August advance in the overall CPI. The index for petroleum-based energy rose 5.4 percent in August, and the index for energy services increased 0.3 percent. For the second consecutive month in August, the food index increased 0.2 percent and the index for food at home, 0.1 percent. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent, following an increase of 0.2 percent in July. Downturns in the indexes for airline fares and cigarettes accounted for the smaller advance in the August all items less food and energy index. Table A. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) Seasonally adjusted Un- Compound adjusted Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos. Category 1999 3-mos. ended ended Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Aug. `99 Aug. `99 All Items .1 .2 .7 .0 .0 .3 .3 2.4 2.3 Food and beverages .2 -.2 .1 .4 .0 .2 .2 1.5 2.0 Housing .1 .2 .4 .1 .2 .1 .2 2.0 2.2 Apparel -.2 -.3 1.5 -.2 -.4 -.9 -.3 -6.2 -3.1 Transportation -.1 .7 2.4 -.5 -.6 1.2 .9 6.0 3.2 Medical care .2 .2 .4 .2 .4 .3 .4 4.1 3.4 Recreation -.1 .0 .3 .2 .0 .0 .0 .0 .9 Education and communication .1 .0 .1 -.1 .0 .2 .2 1.6 1.1 Other goods and services -.1 -.6 1.0 -.2 .2 .9 -.2 3.5 8.2 Special Indexes Energy .0 1.6 6.1 -1.3 -1.2 2.1 2.7 15.3 7.2 Food .1 -.2 .1 .4 .0 .2 .2 1.5 2.0 All Items less Food and energy .1 .1 .4 .1 .1 .2 .1 1.4 1.9 During the first eight months of 1999, the CPI-U rose at a 2.6 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 1.6 percent for all of 1998. The acceleration thus far in1999 has been due to energy costs, which increased at a 15.4 percent annual rate in the first eight months of 1999 after declining 8.8 percent in all of 1998. Food costs, which rose 2.3 percent in 1998, have risen at a 1.9 percent SAAR in the first eight months of 1999. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U has advanced at a 1.6 percent rate compared with a 2.4 percent rise for all of 1998. The food and beverages index rose 0.2 percent in August. The index for food at home increased 0.1 percent, the same as in July. The index for fruits and vegetables, which had declined in each of the preceding two months, rose 0.6 percent in August. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, the index for fruits and vegetables was virtually unchanged.) The index for fresh fruits decreased 0.4 percent, despite another increase in citrus fruit prices. In the first eight months of 1999, prices for citrus fruits have risen 60.8 percent. The index for fresh vegetables rose 2.2 percent and the index for processed fruits and vegetables increased 0.1 percent. The index for dairy products rose 0.5 percent in August. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which declined 0.1 percent in July, increased 0.3 percent in August. Increases in the indexes for eggs and poultry--up 4.0 and 0.8 percent, respectively--more than offset declines in the indexes for beef and veal and for pork. Among the other major grocery store food groups, the index for other food at home rose 0.3 percent, while the indexes for cereal and bakery products and for nonalcoholic beverages declined 0.9 and 0.1 percent, respectively. The other two components of the food and beverages index--food away from home and alcoholic beverages--each increased 0.3 percent. The index for housing rose 0.2 percent in August, following an increase of 0.1 percent in July. Shelter costs also rose 0.2 percent in August. Within shelter, the indexes for rent and for owners' equivalent rent each increased 0.2 percent, while the index for lodging away from home declined 0.3 percent. The index for fuels and utilities increased 0.4 percent in August. The index for household fuels rose 0.4 percent. The indexes for fuel oil and for natural gas increased 2.9 and 1.9 percent, respectively, while the index for electricity declined 0.3 percent. The index for household furnishings and operations, which was unchanged in July, rose 0.1 percent in August. The transportation component, which rose 1.2 percent in July, advanced 0.9 percent in August. The gasoline index increased sharply for the second consecutive month--up 5.6 percent in August after rising 4.3 percent in July. Gasoline prices have risen 25.1 percent thus far in 1999, but as of August are 9.8 percent lower than their peak level in November 1990. Airline fares, which increased 6.5 percent in July, turned down in August, declining 2.7 percent. The index for new and used vehicles rose 0.1 percent in August; a 1.0 percent increase in the index for used cars and trucks more than offset a 0.1 percent decline in the index for new vehicles. The index for apparel declined for the fourth consecutive month, down 0.3 percent in August. Discounting on men's and boys' wear more than offset price increases on women's and girls' clothing. Medical care costs rose 0.4 percent in August to a level 3.4 percent above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities--prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.6 percent, with the index for prescription drugs up 0.7 percent. The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent. Charges for physicians' services and for hospital services increased 0.1 and 0.6 percent, respectively. In August, for the third consecutive month, the index for recreation costs was unchanged. Increases in the indexes for cable television, for fees for lessons, and for club memberships were offset by declines in the indexes for toys, for pets and pet services, for sporting goods, for photography, and for admissions to movies, theaters, concerts, and sporting events. The index for education and communication increased 0.2 percent in August. Educational costs rose 0.3 percent, and the index for communication increased 0.1 percent. Within the latter group, the index for personal computers and peripheral equipment declined 3.8 percent, while the index for telephone services increased 0.3 percent. The index for other goods and services declined 0.2 percent in August, following a 0.9 percent increase in July. The index for tobacco and smoking products, which rose 3.3 percent in July, fell 1.3 percent in August, reflecting a 1.8 percent drop in cigarette prices. CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers rose 0.2 percent in August. Table B. Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) Seasonally adjusted Un- Compound adjusted Expenditure Changes from preceding month annual rate 12-mos. Category 1999 3-mos. ended ended Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Aug.`99 Aug. `99 All Items .0 .1 .7 .0 .0 .4 .2 2.5 2.4 Food and beverages .1 -.2 .1 .3 .1 .2 .2 1.7 2.0 Housing .1 .3 .3 .1 .1 .2 .1 1.8 2.1 Apparel -.4 -.4 1.4 -.1 -.5 -.7 -.5 -6.6 -2.7 Transportation -.4 .6 2.6 -.4 -.5 1.2 1.0 7.2 3.4 Medical care .2 .3 .4 .2 .4 .3 .2 3.6 3.4 Recreation -.2 -.1 .2 .2 .1 .0 -.1 .0 .4 Education and communication .2 .0 -.1 .0 .1 .2 .1 1.6 1.2 Other goods and services -.2 -1.0 1.4 -.4 .3 1.2 -.4 4.4 10.4 Special Indexes Energy -.2 2.0 6.4 -1.4 -1.2 2.3 2.8 16.6 8.0 Food .1 -.2 .1 .3 .1 .1 .2 1.7 1.9 All Items less food and energy .0 .0 .4 .1 .1 .2 .1 1.6 1.9 Consumer Price Index data for September are scheduled for release on Tuesday, October 19, 1999, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT). _______________________________________________________________________ A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data Because price data are used for different purposes by different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each month. For analyzing general price trends in the economy, seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred since they eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur at the same time and in about the same magnitude every year--such as price movements resulting from changing climatic conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales. The unadjusted data are of primary interest to consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay. Unadjusted data also are used extensively for escalation purposes. Many collective bargaining contract agreements and pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal variation. Seasonal factors used in computing the seasonally adjusted indexes are derived by the X-12-ARIMA Seasonal Adjustment Method. The updated seasonal data at the end of 1977 replaced data from 1967 through 1977. Subsequent annual updates have replaced 5 years of seasonal data, e.g., data from 1994 through 1998 were replaced at the end of 1998. The seasonal movement of all items and 54 other aggregations is derived by combining the seasonal movement of 73 selected components. Each year the seasonal status of every series is reevaluated based upon certain statistical criteria. If any of the 73 components change their seasonal adjustment status from seasonally adjusted to not seasonally adjusted, not seasonally adjusted data will be used for the last 5 years, but the seasonally adjusted indexes will be used before that period. Seasonally adjusted data, including the All items index levels, are subject to revision for up to five years after their original release. For this reason, BLS advises against the use of these data in escalation agreements. Effective with the calculation of the seasonal factors for 1990, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has used an enhanced seasonal adjustment procedure called Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment for some CPI series. Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment allows for better estimates of seasonally adjusted data. Extreme values and/or sharp movements which might distort the seasonal pattern are estimated and removed from the data prior to calculation of seasonal factors. Beginning with the calculation of seasonal factors for 1996, X-12-ARIMA software was used for Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment. For the fuel oil and the motor fuels indexes, this procedure was used to offset the effects that extreme price volatility would otherwise have had on the estimates of seasonally adjusted data for those series. For some women's apparel indexes and the girls' apparel index, the procedure was used to offset the effects of changes in pricing methodology. For the tobacco and smoking products index, this procedure was used to offset the effects wholesale tobacco prices and legal fees passed on to consumers. For some alcoholic beverage series, Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment was used to offset the effects of excise tax increases. For the Nonalcoholic beverages index, the procedure was used to offset the effects of a large increase in coffee prices due to adverse weather. The procedure was used to account for unusual butter fat supply reductions affecting the Fats and oils series. For the Water and sewerage maintenance index, the procedure was used to account for a data collection anomaly. A description of Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment, as well as a list of unusual events modeled and seasonal factors for these items may be obtained by writing the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Washington, DC 20212 or by calling Claire McAnaw Gallagher on (202) 606-6968 or sending e-mail to Gallagher_C@BLS.GOV. Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Unadjusted Relative Unadjusted indexes percent change to Seasonally adjusted importance, Aug. 1999 from- percent change from- CPI-U December 1998 July Aug. 1999 1999 Aug. July May to June to July to 1998 1999 June July Aug. Expenditure category All items ................................... 100.000 166.7 167.1 2.3 0.2 0.0 0.3 0.3 All items (1967=100) ........................ - 499.2 500.7 - - - - - Food and beverages ......................... 16.408 164.2 164.7 2.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2 Food ...................................... 15.422 163.8 164.2 2.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 Food at home ............................. 9.691 163.7 164.1 1.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 Cereals and bakery products ............. 1.544 186.3 184.9 1.2 -0.8 0.1 0.3 -0.9 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 2.569 147.3 148.5 0.2 0.8 0.3 -0.1 0.3 Dairy and related products (1)........... 1.088 155.7 156.5 4.0 0.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.5 Fruits and vegetables ................... 1.440 202.0 202.1 3.2 0.0 -0.5 -0.2 0.6 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 1.049 134.3 134.5 1.9 0.1 0.3 0.4 -0.1 Other food at home ...................... 2.002 153.7 154.2 1.4 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 Sugar and sweets ....................... .377 152.4 152.7 1.7 0.2 -0.4 0.0 0.5 Fats and oils .......................... .309 148.1 148.6 -0.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.5 Other foods ............................ 1.316 169.3 169.9 1.8 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... .320 104.2 104.8 1.3 0.6 -0.1 -0.7 0.6 Food away from home (1)................... 5.730 165.1 165.6 2.5 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ .175 105.5 105.8 3.4 0.3 0.1 1.1 0.3 Alcoholic beverages ....................... .986 169.9 170.2 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.3 Housing .................................... 39.828 164.7 165.0 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 Shelter ................................... 30.283 188.0 188.3 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 Rent of primary residence (3)............. 7.007 177.5 177.9 3.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Lodging away from home (2) (3)............ 2.376 117.1 117.1 3.7 0.0 0.6 0.2 -0.3 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3) (4)..................... 20.529 193.0 193.4 2.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. .371 102.1 102.2 3.0 0.1 1.7 -0.1 0.1 Fuels and utilities ....................... 4.735 131.1 131.4 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.4 Fuels .................................... 3.801 116.0 116.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.7 0.4 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ .227 87.5 89.2 2.9 1.9 1.0 1.9 2.4 Gas (piped) and electricity (3).......... 3.574 124.0 124.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.3 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2).......................... .934 104.1 104.4 2.2 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 Household furnishings and operations ...... 4.810 126.8 126.8 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 Household operations (1) (2).............. .908 104.3 105.0 2.9 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.7 Apparel .................................... 4.831 127.3 127.5 -3.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.9 -0.3 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 1.358 128.3 127.1 -2.7 -0.9 0.2 -1.1 -1.7 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 1.939 116.1 117.9 -4.8 1.6 -0.3 -2.0 0.8 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... .272 127.4 128.3 3.1 0.7 -0.6 0.5 0.7 Footwear .................................. .876 125.2 123.8 -3.1 -1.1 -0.6 1.0 -1.1 Transportation ............................. 16.999 144.7 145.7 3.2 0.7 -0.6 1.2 0.9 Private transportation .................... 15.653 140.6 141.9 3.3 0.9 -0.4 0.9 1.1 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 7.843 99.8 99.7 -0.2 -0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 New vehicles ............................ 4.983 142.0 141.4 -1.0 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 1.914 152.3 153.8 1.8 1.0 0.9 0.9 1.0 Motor fuel ............................... 2.493 102.5 107.8 17.7 5.2 -3.0 4.1 5.6 Gasoline (all types) .................... 2.476 101.9 107.2 17.7 5.2 -3.2 4.3 5.6 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ .549 100.0 100.1 -1.1 0.1 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 1.624 172.1 172.1 2.9 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 Public transportation (1).................. 1.346 200.8 197.1 2.5 -1.8 -2.9 4.3 -1.8 Medical care ............................... 5.713 251.1 251.9 3.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 Medical care commodities .................. 1.252 231.7 232.5 4.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.6 Medical care services ..................... 4.461 255.5 256.2 3.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 Professional services (3)................. 2.854 229.8 230.1 3.0 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.3 Hospital and related services (3)......... 1.354 299.3 301.3 4.1 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.7 Recreation (2).............................. 6.120 102.2 102.2 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 1.748 100.6 100.9 -0.3 0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.3 Education and communication (2)............. 5.478 100.4 101.2 1.1 0.8 0.0 0.2 0.2 Education (2).............................. 2.694 106.0 107.5 4.8 1.4 0.3 0.5 0.3 Educational books and supplies ........... .203 262.3 264.5 6.2 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.6 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 2.492 305.4 309.9 4.8 1.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 Communication (1) (2)...................... 2.783 95.5 95.6 -2.3 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 2.580 94.9 95.0 -2.8 0.1 -0.3 0.0 0.1 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 2.327 99.5 99.8 -0.6 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.3 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (5) .253 30.0 29.8 -20.7 -0.7 -3.6 0.7 -0.7 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... .148 52.9 50.9 -28.4 -3.8 -2.2 -2.9 -3.8 Other goods and services ................... 4.624 258.3 257.6 8.2 -0.3 0.2 0.9 -0.2 Tobacco and smoking products .............. 1.159 356.0 350.1 27.9 -1.7 0.2 3.3 -1.3 Personal care (1).......................... 3.465 161.1 161.4 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 Personal care products (1)................ .742 152.0 152.3 2.6 0.2 1.1 -0.4 0.2 Personal care services (1)................ .973 171.4 171.9 3.2 0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.3 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 1.491 242.9 243.9 3.5 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.4 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 42.109 143.9 144.5 2.0 0.4 -0.2 0.4 0.4 Food and beverages ......................... 16.408 164.2 164.7 2.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 25.702 131.9 132.5 1.9 0.5 -0.4 0.5 0.5 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 14.345 136.7 138.0 4.6 1.0 -0.5 1.0 0.8 Apparel .................................. 4.831 127.3 127.5 -3.1 0.2 -0.4 -0.9 -0.3 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 9.514 146.8 148.8 8.5 1.4 -0.5 1.5 1.8 Durables .................................. 11.356 125.6 125.4 -1.4 -0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 Services .................................... 57.891 189.5 189.9 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 Rent of shelter (4)......................... 29.912 195.7 196.1 2.8 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).... .371 102.1 102.2 3.0 0.1 1.7 -0.1 0.1 Gas (piped) and electricity (3)............. 3.574 124.0 124.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.3 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2)............................ .934 104.1 104.4 2.2 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 Household operations (1) (2)................ .908 104.3 105.0 2.9 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.7 Transportation services .................... 6.963 191.0 190.2 1.3 -0.4 -0.5 1.0 -0.4 Medical care services ...................... 4.461 255.5 256.2 3.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 Other services ............................. 10.768 222.6 223.9 2.9 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.3 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 84.578 167.2 167.7 2.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 All items less shelter ...................... 69.717 160.1 160.6 2.0 0.3 -0.1 0.4 0.2 All items less medical care ................. 94.287 162.0 162.5 2.2 0.3 -0.1 0.3 0.3 Commodities less food ....................... 26.688 133.4 134.0 2.0 0.4 -0.3 0.4 0.5 Nondurables less food ....................... 15.331 138.7 139.9 4.5 0.9 -0.4 0.9 0.8 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 10.500 148.2 150.0 8.0 1.2 -0.3 1.4 1.6 Nondurables ................................. 30.753 150.6 151.5 3.2 0.6 -0.1 0.5 0.5 Services less rent of shelter (4)............ 27.979 196.5 196.9 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.2 Services less medical care services ......... 53.429 183.4 183.8 2.4 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 Energy ...................................... 6.294 108.7 111.3 7.2 2.4 -1.2 2.1 2.7 All items less energy ....................... 93.706 174.3 174.5 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items less food and energy ............. 78.284 176.9 177.1 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 23.967 143.2 143.0 0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.1 Energy commodities ....................... 2.720 101.3 106.3 16.4 4.9 -2.7 4.0 5.4 Services less energy services ............. 54.316 196.1 196.5 2.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar ..... - $ .600 $ .598 - - - - - Purchasing power of the consumer dollar - old base .................................... - $ .200 $ .200 - - - - - 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a geometric means estimator in January, 1999. 4 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for CPI-U 3 months ended-- 6 months ended-- May June July Aug. 1999 1999 1999 1999 Nov. Feb. May Aug. Feb. Aug. 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 Expenditure category All items ................................... 166.2 166.2 166.7 167.2 1.7 1.2 3.7 2.4 1.5 3.1 Food and beverages ......................... 164.2 164.2 164.5 164.8 2.8 2.7 1.0 1.5 2.7 1.2 Food ...................................... 163.9 163.9 164.2 164.5 2.8 2.7 1.0 1.5 2.7 1.2 Food at home ............................. 163.9 163.9 164.0 164.2 2.8 2.5 0.5 0.7 2.6 0.6 Cereals and bakery products ............. 185.1 185.2 185.8 184.2 1.5 2.0 3.3 -1.9 1.8 0.7 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 147.3 147.7 147.6 148.1 -1.9 -0.8 1.4 2.2 -1.3 1.8 Dairy and related products (1)........... 156.2 156.1 155.7 156.5 15.1 17.5 -14.2 0.8 16.3 -7.0 Fruits and vegetables ................... 206.2 205.1 204.7 206.0 1.2 4.5 7.3 -0.4 2.8 3.4 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 134.0 134.4 134.9 134.8 2.4 1.8 0.9 2.4 2.1 1.7 Other food at home ...................... 153.4 153.5 153.7 154.1 4.8 -1.8 0.8 1.8 1.5 1.3 Sugar and sweets ....................... 152.7 152.1 152.1 152.8 1.9 0.0 4.6 0.3 0.9 2.4 Fats and oils .......................... 147.2 147.2 147.7 148.5 18.5 -13.6 -8.5 3.6 1.2 -2.6 Other foods ............................ 168.7 169.1 169.3 169.6 2.7 0.5 1.9 2.2 1.6 2.0 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... 105.0 104.9 104.2 104.8 5.1 4.3 -3.4 -0.8 4.7 -2.1 Food away from home (1)................... 164.6 164.6 165.1 165.6 2.8 3.0 2.0 2.5 2.9 2.2 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ 104.3 104.4 105.5 105.8 4.0 1.6 2.3 5.9 2.8 4.1 Alcoholic beverages ....................... 169.0 169.3 170.1 170.6 2.7 2.9 1.7 3.8 2.8 2.8 Housing .................................... 163.3 163.6 163.8 164.1 2.8 0.7 3.0 2.0 1.7 2.5 Shelter ................................... 186.6 187.0 187.1 187.5 4.0 1.3 3.7 1.9 2.6 2.8 Rent of primary residence (3)............. 176.9 177.1 177.5 177.9 3.8 2.8 3.0 2.3 3.3 2.6 Lodging away from home (2) (3)............ 105.0 105.6 105.8 105.5 12.8 -12.4 15.0 1.9 -0.6 8.3 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3) (4)..................... 192.6 192.8 193.0 193.4 3.0 2.8 2.7 1.7 2.9 2.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. 100.5 102.2 102.1 102.2 2.9 0.8 1.6 6.9 1.8 4.2 Fuels and utilities ....................... 127.3 127.5 128.2 128.7 -2.2 -0.3 0.6 4.5 -1.2 2.5 Fuels .................................... 111.2 111.3 112.1 112.6 -3.2 -1.1 0.4 5.1 -2.1 2.7 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ 87.4 88.3 90.0 92.2 -12.7 -13.2 19.5 23.8 -12.9 21.6 Gas (piped) and electricity (3).......... 118.9 119.0 119.7 120.1 -2.3 -0.3 -0.7 4.1 -1.3 1.7 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2).......................... 103.7 103.8 103.8 103.9 2.4 2.4 2.7 0.8 2.4 1.8 Household furnishings and operations ...... 126.5 126.7 126.7 126.8 0.3 -0.6 -0.6 1.0 -0.2 0.2 Household operations (1) (2).............. 104.1 104.3 104.3 105.0 3.2 2.0 3.1 3.5 2.6 3.3 Apparel .................................... 131.9 131.4 130.2 129.8 -2.7 -7.3 4.0 -6.2 -5.0 -1.2 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 131.9 132.2 130.8 128.6 -1.8 -1.5 2.5 -9.6 -1.7 -3.8 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 123.9 123.5 121.0 122.0 -8.7 -11.0 7.4 -6.0 -9.9 0.5 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... 127.6 126.8 127.4 128.3 24.1 -14.1 3.9 2.2 3.2 3.0 Footwear .................................. 126.1 125.4 126.6 125.2 -0.3 -10.4 1.9 -2.8 -5.5 -0.5 Transportation ............................. 143.9 143.0 144.7 146.0 -1.4 -2.5 11.0 6.0 -2.0 8.4 Private transportation .................... 140.0 139.4 140.7 142.3 -0.6 -3.7 11.0 6.7 -2.2 8.8 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 100.0 100.1 100.4 100.5 0.8 -4.7 0.8 2.0 -2.0 1.4 New vehicles ............................ 142.7 142.6 142.7 142.6 -1.9 -0.8 -0.8 -0.3 -1.4 -0.6 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 149.6 150.9 152.3 153.8 7.9 -14.0 3.6 11.7 -3.7 7.6 Motor fuel ............................... 99.9 96.9 100.9 106.6 -8.5 -10.8 81.2 29.6 -9.7 53.3 Gasoline (all types) .................... 99.3 96.1 100.2 105.8 -7.4 -11.3 81.1 28.9 -9.3 52.8 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ 100.6 100.3 100.1 100.1 0.0 -2.4 0.0 -2.0 -1.2 -1.0 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 171.5 171.8 172.2 172.3 4.4 2.1 3.1 1.9 3.2 2.5 Public transportation (1).................. 198.4 192.6 200.8 197.1 -9.6 12.7 11.4 -2.6 0.9 4.2 Medical care ............................... 249.6 250.5 251.2 252.1 2.8 3.5 3.4 4.1 3.1 3.8 Medical care commodities .................. 229.0 229.9 231.2 232.5 4.0 2.3 4.3 6.3 3.2 5.3 Medical care services ..................... 254.0 254.9 255.5 256.2 2.6 3.9 3.0 3.5 3.3 3.3 Professional services (3)................. 228.2 229.0 229.5 230.1 2.9 2.7 3.2 3.4 2.8 3.3 Hospital and related services (3)......... 297.6 298.8 299.3 301.3 2.2 5.6 3.6 5.1 3.9 4.3 Recreation (2).............................. 102.0 102.0 102.0 102.0 0.0 1.6 2.0 0.0 0.8 1.0 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 100.8 100.6 100.5 100.8 0.0 0.4 -1.6 0.0 0.2 -0.8 Education and communication (2)............. 101.1 101.1 101.3 101.5 2.0 0.8 0.0 1.6 1.4 0.8 Education (2).............................. 107.1 107.4 107.9 108.2 4.7 5.9 5.0 4.2 5.3 4.6 Educational books and supplies ........... 262.4 263.4 264.2 265.8 11.5 3.5 4.7 5.3 7.4 5.0 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 307.2 308.1 309.4 310.2 3.8 6.2 5.2 4.0 5.0 4.6 Communication (1) (2)...................... 95.7 95.5 95.5 95.6 -0.4 -3.6 -4.9 -0.4 -2.0 -2.7 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 95.2 94.9 94.9 95.0 -0.4 -4.4 -5.3 -0.8 -2.4 -3.1 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 99.6 99.7 99.5 99.8 2.8 -2.7 -3.1 0.8 0.0 -1.2 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (5) 30.9 29.8 30.0 29.8 -22.3 -20.8 -25.9 -13.5 -21.6 -19.9 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... 55.7 54.5 52.9 50.9 -27.5 -31.4 -24.2 -30.3 -29.5 -27.3 Other goods and services ................... 256.2 256.8 259.0 258.4 3.6 26.7 0.9 3.5 14.6 2.2 Tobacco and smoking products .............. 344.1 344.9 356.3 351.5 8.1 140.7 -5.5 8.9 61.3 1.4 Personal care (1).......................... 160.7 161.1 161.1 161.4 2.3 3.6 3.3 1.8 2.9 2.5 Personal care products (1)................ 150.9 152.6 152.0 152.3 0.8 2.7 3.0 3.8 1.8 3.4 Personal care services (1)................ 171.0 170.9 171.4 171.9 2.4 4.1 4.1 2.1 3.3 3.1 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 241.6 241.9 242.9 243.9 3.6 4.4 2.0 3.9 4.0 2.9 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 144.1 143.8 144.4 145.0 0.0 0.8 4.6 2.5 0.4 3.5 Food and beverages ......................... 164.2 164.2 164.5 164.8 2.8 2.7 1.0 1.5 2.7 1.2 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 132.3 131.8 132.5 133.2 -1.5 -0.3 6.9 2.7 -0.9 4.8 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 136.9 136.2 137.6 138.7 -0.9 1.2 13.3 5.4 0.2 9.2 Apparel .................................. 131.9 131.4 130.2 129.8 -2.7 -7.3 4.0 -6.2 -5.0 -1.2 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 144.6 143.9 146.1 148.8 -0.6 5.4 18.1 12.1 2.3 15.1 Durables .................................. 125.7 125.7 125.9 125.9 -0.9 -4.3 -0.9 0.6 -2.6 -0.2 Services .................................... 188.3 188.5 189.0 189.3 2.6 1.9 3.0 2.1 2.3 2.6 Rent of shelter (4)......................... 194.4 194.9 195.1 195.5 4.1 1.3 3.6 2.3 2.6 2.9 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).... 100.5 102.2 102.1 102.2 2.9 0.8 1.6 6.9 1.8 4.2 Gas (piped) and electricity (3)............. 118.9 119.0 119.7 120.1 -2.3 -0.3 -0.7 4.1 -1.3 1.7 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2)............................ 103.7 103.8 103.8 103.9 2.4 2.4 2.7 0.8 2.4 1.8 Household operations (1) (2)................ 104.1 104.3 104.3 105.0 3.2 2.0 3.1 3.5 2.6 3.3 Transportation services .................... 190.4 189.5 191.4 190.7 -1.1 2.8 2.8 0.6 0.9 1.7 Medical care services ...................... 254.0 254.9 255.5 256.2 2.6 3.9 3.0 3.5 3.3 3.3 Other services ............................. 222.7 223.0 223.6 224.2 3.0 3.1 2.6 2.7 3.1 2.6 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 166.5 166.5 167.0 167.5 1.5 1.2 4.2 2.4 1.3 3.3 All items less shelter ...................... 159.8 159.6 160.3 160.7 0.8 1.5 3.6 2.3 1.1 2.9 All items less medical care ................. 161.4 161.3 161.8 162.3 1.5 1.3 3.8 2.2 1.4 3.0 Commodities less food ....................... 133.9 133.5 134.1 134.8 -1.5 -0.3 6.9 2.7 -0.9 4.8 Nondurables less food ....................... 138.9 138.3 139.5 140.6 -0.3 0.6 13.1 5.0 0.1 9.0 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 146.0 145.6 147.6 150.0 0.0 4.7 16.6 11.4 2.3 14.0 Nondurables ................................. 150.6 150.5 151.3 152.1 0.5 1.9 6.6 4.0 1.2 5.3 Services less rent of shelter (4)............ 195.1 195.4 196.1 196.5 1.0 2.1 2.7 2.9 1.6 2.8 Services less medical care services ......... 182.2 182.4 183.0 183.2 2.3 2.0 2.9 2.2 2.1 2.6 Energy ...................................... 105.1 103.8 106.0 108.9 -5.4 -5.1 28.1 15.3 -5.2 21.5 All items less energy ....................... 174.3 174.4 174.7 174.9 2.1 1.9 2.3 1.4 2.0 1.9 All items less food and energy ............. 176.9 177.0 177.3 177.5 1.8 1.8 2.5 1.4 1.8 1.9 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 144.0 144.0 144.1 143.9 -0.3 0.8 0.6 -0.3 0.3 0.1 Energy commodities ....................... 98.8 96.1 99.9 105.3 -9.0 -11.3 75.8 29.0 -10.1 50.6 Services less energy services ............. 195.4 195.6 196.1 196.4 3.0 2.1 3.3 2.1 2.5 2.7 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a geometric means estimator in January, 1999. 4 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Selected areas, all items index (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) All items Prici- Indexes Percent change to Percent change to CPI-U ng Aug.1999 from-- July1999 from-- sched- ule May June July Aug. (1) 1999 1999 1999 1999 Aug. June July July May June 1998 1999 1999 1998 1999 1999 U.S. city average ........................... M 166.2 166.2 166.7 167.1 2.3 0.5 0.2 2.1 0.3 0.3 Region and area size(2) Northeast urban ............................. M 172.8 173.1 173.4 174.1 2.1 0.6 0.4 2.1 0.3 0.2 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 173.6 174.1 174.5 175.1 2.2 0.6 0.3 2.2 0.5 0.2 Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).......... M 103.9 103.8 103.9 104.3 2.1 0.5 0.4 1.9 0.0 0.1 Midwest urban ............................... M 162.2 162.5 162.9 163.2 2.3 0.4 0.2 1.9 0.4 0.2 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 163.6 164.1 164.6 164.8 2.4 0.4 0.1 2.1 0.6 0.3 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 103.7 103.7 103.9 104.2 2.2 0.5 0.3 1.7 0.2 0.2 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 156.5 156.9 157.2 157.7 2.9 0.5 0.3 2.4 0.4 0.2 South urban ................................. M 161.6 161.7 162.2 162.6 1.9 0.6 0.2 1.8 0.4 0.3 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 160.5 160.9 161.4 161.9 1.9 0.6 0.3 1.8 0.6 0.3 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........ M 104.1 104.1 104.3 104.4 1.9 0.3 0.1 1.9 0.2 0.2 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 162.1 162.0 162.6 163.7 2.2 1.0 0.7 1.6 0.3 0.4 West urban .................................. M 168.7 168.3 168.9 169.5 2.9 0.7 0.4 2.8 0.1 0.4 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 169.8 169.3 169.9 170.5 3.0 0.7 0.4 2.9 0.1 0.4 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 104.8 104.5 104.9 105.2 2.6 0.7 0.3 2.5 0.1 0.4 Size classes A (4)...................................... M 150.5 150.7 151.1 151.6 2.4 0.6 0.3 2.3 0.4 0.3 B/C (3).................................... M 104.1 104.0 104.2 104.5 2.1 0.5 0.3 1.9 0.1 0.2 D ......................................... M 161.9 162.0 162.4 163.1 2.3 0.7 0.4 1.9 0.3 0.2 Selected local areas(5) Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI .............. M 168.2 168.9 169.4 169.3 2.4 0.2 -0.1 1.7 0.7 0.3 Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ..... M 166.2 165.4 165.8 166.3 2.3 0.5 0.3 2.3 -0.2 0.2 New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA ............................. M 176.1 176.8 177.2 177.6 2.0 0.5 0.2 2.1 0.6 0.2 Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT ......... 1 174.2 - 175.3 - - - - 2.7 0.6 - Cleveland-Akron, OH ......................... 1 161.5 - 162.8 - - - - 1.8 0.8 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ....................... 1 157.2 - 158.3 - - - - 2.7 0.7 - Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (6)........ 1 103.6 - 104.6 - - - - 1.8 1.0 - Atlanta, GA ................................. 2 - 164.8 - 165.9 2.5 0.7 - - - - Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI ................. 2 - 163.8 - 164.2 2.3 0.2 - - - - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .............. 2 - 148.3 - 148.9 1.0 0.4 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ................... 2 - 161.3 - 162.3 0.9 0.6 - - - - Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE-MD ............................. 2 - 172.1 - 173.1 2.7 0.6 - - - - San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .......... 2 - 171.8 - 173.5 4.1 1.0 - - - - Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................ 2 - 172.7 - 173.4 2.9 0.4 - - - - 1 Areas on pricing schedule 2 (see Table 10) will appear next month. 2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes. 3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base. 4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 5 In addition, the following metropolitan areas are published semiannually and appear in Tables 34 and 39 of the January and July issues of the CPI Detailed Report: Anchorage, AK; Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN; Denver-Boulder-Greeley, CO; Honolulu, HI; Kansas City, MO-KS; Milwaukee-Racine, WI; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland-Salem, OR-WA; St. Louis, MO-IL; San Diego, CA; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. 6 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Unadjusted Relative Unadjusted indexes percent change to Seasonally adjusted importance, Aug. 1999 from- percent change from- CPI-W December 1998 July Aug. 1999 1999 Aug. July May to June to July to 1998 1999 June July Aug. Expenditure category All items ................................... 100.000 163.3 163.8 2.4 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.2 All items (1967=100) ........................ - 486.3 487.8 - - - - - Food and beverages ......................... 18.011 163.4 163.9 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 Food ...................................... 16.966 163.0 163.5 1.9 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 Food at home ............................. 10.832 162.5 162.9 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 Cereals and bakery products ............. 1.689 186.1 184.8 1.3 -0.7 0.1 0.3 -0.8 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 3.055 146.8 148.2 0.2 1.0 0.5 -0.2 0.3 Dairy and related products (1)........... 1.193 155.3 156.0 3.9 0.5 -0.1 -0.3 0.5 Fruits and vegetables ................... 1.492 201.0 201.2 3.2 0.1 -0.4 0.0 0.7 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 1.184 133.1 133.2 1.9 0.1 0.3 0.4 -0.1 Other food at home ...................... 2.220 153.0 153.5 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 Sugar and sweets ....................... .420 152.0 152.6 1.5 0.4 -0.5 0.0 0.6 Fats and oils .......................... .354 147.8 148.3 -0.7 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.6 Other foods ............................ 1.446 169.2 169.7 1.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... .355 103.9 104.4 0.9 0.5 -0.3 -0.5 0.5 Food away from home (1)................... 6.133 164.9 165.5 2.5 0.4 -0.1 0.3 0.4 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ .216 105.3 105.8 3.5 0.5 0.3 0.8 0.5 Alcoholic beverages ....................... 1.045 169.1 169.2 2.8 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.2 Housing .................................... 36.685 160.7 161.0 2.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 Shelter ................................... 27.496 182.0 182.4 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 Rent of primary residence (3)............. 8.500 177.1 177.5 3.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 Lodging away from home (2) (3)............ 1.379 116.7 116.8 3.5 0.1 0.3 -0.1 -0.3 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3) (4)..................... 17.296 175.7 176.1 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. .320 102.2 102.3 2.9 0.1 1.4 -0.1 0.1 Fuels and utilities ....................... 4.850 131.1 131.4 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.4 Fuels .................................... 3.928 115.7 115.9 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.4 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ .201 87.6 89.3 2.6 1.9 1.1 1.5 2.4 Gas (piped) and electricity (3).......... 3.727 123.6 123.7 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.3 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2).......................... .922 104.2 104.4 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 Household furnishings and operations ...... 4.339 124.9 124.7 -0.4 -0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 Household operations (1) (2).............. .402 104.8 105.4 3.1 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.6 Apparel .................................... 5.199 126.4 126.4 -2.7 0.0 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 1.474 128.6 127.2 -2.1 -1.1 0.2 -1.0 -1.8 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 1.948 114.4 116.0 -4.4 1.4 -0.5 -2.1 0.7 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... .344 128.4 129.6 3.7 0.9 -0.7 0.3 0.9 Footwear .................................. 1.057 125.8 124.4 -3.1 -1.1 -0.7 1.2 -1.3 Transportation ............................. 19.166 143.7 145.0 3.4 0.9 -0.5 1.2 1.0 Private transportation .................... 18.109 140.9 142.4 3.5 1.1 -0.4 1.0 1.3 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 9.250 100.1 100.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.3 New vehicles ............................ 5.224 143.2 142.6 -1.0 -0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 3.216 153.7 155.2 1.8 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.0 Motor fuel ............................... 3.066 102.6 107.8 17.6 5.1 -2.8 4.2 5.4 Gasoline (all types) .................... 3.045 102.1 107.3 17.7 5.1 -2.8 4.2 5.6 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ .682 99.5 99.6 -0.9 0.1 -0.3 -0.3 0.2 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 1.690 173.5 173.5 3.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 Public transportation (1).................. 1.056 195.7 192.5 1.9 -1.6 -2.5 3.5 -1.6 Medical care ............................... 4.672 250.3 251.0 3.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 Medical care commodities .................. .926 227.8 228.4 3.9 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.5 Medical care services ..................... 3.746 255.3 256.0 3.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 Professional services (3)................. 2.415 231.4 231.7 3.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.1 Hospital and related services (3)......... 1.114 295.3 297.3 4.1 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.7 Recreation (2).............................. 5.925 101.6 101.5 0.4 -0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 1.951 100.4 100.7 -0.4 0.3 -0.1 -0.1 0.3 Education and communication (2)............. 5.361 100.8 101.5 1.2 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.1 Education (2).............................. 2.478 106.3 107.7 5.0 1.3 0.4 0.5 0.1 Educational books and supplies ........... .200 265.0 267.2 6.3 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.6 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 2.278 300.2 304.1 4.9 1.3 0.4 0.4 0.1 Communication (1) (2)...................... 2.883 96.3 96.5 -1.9 0.2 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 2.733 96.0 96.1 -2.2 0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.1 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 2.519 99.7 99.9 -0.6 0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.2 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (5) .213 31.1 30.8 -20.8 -1.0 -3.1 1.0 -1.0 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... .120 52.5 50.6 -28.9 -3.6 -2.0 -2.8 -3.6 Other goods and services ................... 4.981 262.0 260.7 10.4 -0.5 0.3 1.2 -0.4 Tobacco and smoking products .............. 1.694 356.6 350.6 28.1 -1.7 0.3 3.4 -1.4 Personal care (1).......................... 3.287 161.3 161.6 2.8 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2 Personal care products (1)................ .838 152.7 153.1 2.3 0.3 1.1 -0.4 0.3 Personal care services (1)................ .975 171.8 172.2 3.1 0.2 -0.1 0.4 0.2 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 1.253 243.2 243.8 3.8 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 46.764 144.2 144.8 2.3 0.4 -0.2 0.5 0.4 Food and beverages ......................... 18.011 163.4 163.9 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 28.753 132.7 133.4 2.6 0.5 -0.3 0.7 0.5 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 15.564 137.5 138.8 5.7 0.9 -0.6 1.3 0.9 Apparel .................................. 5.199 126.4 126.4 -2.7 0.0 -0.5 -0.7 -0.5 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 10.365 148.1 150.2 10.0 1.4 -0.3 1.7 2.0 Durables .................................. 13.189 125.7 125.7 -1.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 Services .................................... 53.236 185.9 186.3 2.4 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 Rent of shelter (4)......................... 27.175 175.3 175.6 2.7 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).... .320 102.2 102.3 2.9 0.1 1.4 -0.1 0.1 Gas (piped) and electricity (3)............. 3.727 123.6 123.7 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.3 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2)............................ .922 104.2 104.4 2.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 Household operations (1) (2)................ .402 104.8 105.4 3.1 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.6 Transportation services .................... 6.800 188.0 187.4 1.2 -0.3 -0.2 0.7 -0.3 Medical care services ...................... 3.746 255.3 256.0 3.2 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 Other services ............................. 10.144 219.2 220.3 2.8 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 83.034 163.2 163.7 2.4 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.2 All items less shelter ...................... 72.504 158.0 158.6 2.3 0.4 -0.1 0.4 0.3 All items less medical care ................. 95.328 159.2 159.7 2.3 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.3 Commodities less food ....................... 29.798 134.2 134.8 2.6 0.4 -0.2 0.6 0.6 Nondurables less food ....................... 16.609 139.4 140.7 5.6 0.9 -0.5 1.2 0.9 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 11.410 149.3 151.2 9.3 1.3 -0.3 1.6 1.7 Nondurables ................................. 33.575 150.8 151.7 3.7 0.6 0.0 0.6 0.6 Services less rent of shelter (4)............ 26.061 174.7 175.0 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 Services less medical care services ......... 49.490 180.1 180.4 2.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 Energy ...................................... 6.994 108.4 111.1 8.0 2.5 -1.2 2.3 2.8 All items less energy ....................... 93.006 170.9 171.1 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items less food and energy ............. 76.040 172.9 173.1 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 26.531 143.5 143.3 0.8 -0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.1 Energy commodities ....................... 3.267 101.8 106.8 16.7 4.9 -2.6 4.1 5.3 Services less energy services ............. 49.509 192.8 193.2 2.5 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar ..... - $ .613 $ .611 - - - - - Purchasing power of the consumer dollar - old base .................................... - $ .206 $ .205 - - - - - 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a geometric means estimator in January, 1999. 4 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base 5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) Seasonally adjusted indexes Seasonally adjusted annual rate percent change for CPI-W 3 months ended-- 6 months ended-- May June July Aug. 1999 1999 1999 1999 Nov. Feb. May Aug. Feb. Aug. 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 Expenditure category All items ................................... 162.7 162.7 163.3 163.7 1.8 1.5 3.5 2.5 1.6 3.0 Food and beverages ......................... 163.4 163.5 163.8 164.1 2.8 2.5 0.7 1.7 2.6 1.2 Food ...................................... 163.0 163.1 163.3 163.7 2.8 2.5 0.7 1.7 2.6 1.2 Food at home ............................. 162.6 162.8 162.8 163.1 2.8 2.5 0.0 1.2 2.6 0.6 Cereals and bakery products ............. 184.8 185.0 185.5 184.0 1.5 1.8 3.3 -1.7 1.7 0.8 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 146.8 147.5 147.2 147.6 -1.6 -0.5 0.8 2.2 -1.1 1.5 Dairy and related products (1)........... 155.8 155.7 155.3 156.0 15.2 18.4 -14.9 0.5 16.8 -7.5 Fruits and vegetables ................... 204.9 204.1 204.0 205.4 2.0 4.1 5.7 1.0 3.0 3.3 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 132.9 133.3 133.8 133.6 2.8 1.8 1.2 2.1 2.3 1.7 Other food at home ...................... 152.6 152.6 152.8 153.3 4.8 -1.8 0.5 1.8 1.5 1.2 Sugar and sweets ....................... 152.4 151.7 151.7 152.6 1.6 0.0 4.0 0.5 0.8 2.3 Fats and oils .......................... 147.0 147.1 147.2 148.1 18.0 -13.2 -8.0 3.0 1.2 -2.6 Other foods ............................ 168.5 168.8 169.0 169.4 2.7 0.5 1.7 2.2 1.6 1.9 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... 104.7 104.4 103.9 104.4 5.5 3.9 -4.5 -1.1 4.7 -2.8 Food away from home (1)................... 164.5 164.4 164.9 165.5 3.0 3.0 1.7 2.5 3.0 2.1 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ 104.2 104.5 105.3 105.8 4.8 1.2 1.9 6.3 3.0 4.1 Alcoholic beverages ....................... 168.1 168.7 169.3 169.6 2.7 3.7 1.4 3.6 3.2 2.5 Housing .................................... 159.4 159.6 159.9 160.1 2.6 1.3 2.5 1.8 1.9 2.2 Shelter ................................... 181.2 181.5 181.8 181.9 4.1 1.8 3.4 1.6 3.0 2.5 Rent of primary residence (3)............. 176.6 176.9 177.3 177.5 3.8 3.0 3.0 2.1 3.4 2.5 Lodging away from home (2) (3)............ 104.7 105.0 104.9 104.6 15.9 -12.4 13.7 -0.4 0.8 6.4 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3) (4)..................... 175.4 175.6 175.9 176.1 3.1 2.6 2.8 1.6 2.8 2.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. 100.9 102.3 102.2 102.3 3.7 0.4 2.0 5.7 2.0 3.8 Fuels and utilities ....................... 127.0 127.1 127.8 128.3 -1.6 -0.9 1.0 4.2 -1.3 2.5 Fuels .................................... 110.6 110.7 111.4 111.9 -2.8 -1.4 0.7 4.8 -2.1 2.7 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ 87.8 88.8 90.1 92.3 -12.3 -13.1 18.8 22.1 -12.7 20.5 Gas (piped) and electricity (3).......... 118.2 118.3 119.0 119.4 -2.0 -1.0 -0.3 4.1 -1.5 1.9 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2).......................... 103.7 103.9 103.9 104.0 2.8 2.4 2.3 1.2 2.6 1.8 Household furnishings and operations ...... 124.5 124.6 124.7 124.7 0.0 -1.3 -1.0 0.6 -0.6 -0.2 Household operations (1) (2).............. 104.5 104.8 104.8 105.4 3.6 2.7 2.7 3.5 3.2 3.1 Apparel .................................... 130.6 130.0 129.1 128.4 0.0 -7.6 3.8 -6.6 -3.9 -1.5 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 132.1 132.4 131.1 128.8 0.0 -1.2 3.1 -9.6 -0.6 -3.5 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 122.0 121.4 118.9 119.7 -3.5 -12.3 6.8 -7.3 -8.0 -0.5 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... 128.9 128.0 128.4 129.6 27.0 -15.6 5.5 2.2 3.6 3.8 Footwear .................................. 126.7 125.8 127.3 125.6 -0.6 -9.8 1.6 -3.4 -5.3 -0.9 Transportation ............................. 142.6 141.9 143.6 145.1 -0.9 -3.9 11.7 7.2 -2.4 9.4 Private transportation .................... 139.9 139.4 140.8 142.6 -0.3 -4.8 12.0 7.9 -2.6 9.9 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 99.9 100.2 100.6 100.9 2.0 -6.2 0.8 4.1 -2.2 2.4 New vehicles ............................ 143.7 143.8 143.7 143.8 -1.4 -1.4 -1.1 0.3 -1.4 -0.4 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 150.9 152.2 153.7 155.2 7.6 -13.7 3.5 11.9 -3.6 7.6 Motor fuel ............................... 99.7 96.9 101.0 106.5 -8.1 -11.6 80.6 30.2 -9.9 53.4 Gasoline (all types) .................... 99.1 96.3 100.3 105.9 -7.8 -11.3 79.6 30.4 -9.5 53.1 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ 100.1 99.8 99.5 99.7 0.0 -1.6 -0.4 -1.6 -0.8 -1.0 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 172.9 173.3 173.7 173.7 4.8 2.4 3.1 1.9 3.6 2.5 Public transportation (1).................. 193.9 189.0 195.7 192.5 -9.6 11.1 10.5 -2.9 0.2 3.6 Medical care ............................... 248.7 249.6 250.3 250.9 2.8 3.0 3.8 3.6 2.9 3.7 Medical care commodities .................. 225.3 226.0 227.3 228.4 3.3 2.2 4.2 5.6 2.7 4.9 Medical care services ..................... 253.8 254.7 255.3 255.8 2.6 3.2 3.7 3.2 2.9 3.4 Professional services (3)................. 229.8 230.7 231.2 231.5 3.1 2.9 3.2 3.0 3.0 3.1 Hospital and related services (3)......... 293.6 294.5 295.3 297.3 2.3 5.8 3.3 5.1 4.0 4.2 Recreation (2).............................. 101.3 101.4 101.4 101.3 -0.4 1.2 1.2 0.0 0.4 0.6 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 100.5 100.4 100.3 100.6 0.4 -0.4 -2.0 0.4 0.0 -0.8 Education and communication (2)............. 101.3 101.4 101.6 101.7 2.4 1.2 -0.4 1.6 1.8 0.6 Education (2).............................. 107.3 107.7 108.2 108.3 4.3 6.3 5.4 3.8 5.3 4.6 Educational books and supplies ........... 265.1 266.1 266.9 268.6 11.4 4.2 4.7 5.4 7.7 5.0 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 301.5 302.8 304.1 304.4 4.1 6.6 5.1 3.9 5.3 4.5 Communication (1) (2)...................... 96.5 96.4 96.3 96.5 0.4 -3.2 -4.8 0.0 -1.4 -2.4 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 96.2 96.0 96.0 96.1 0.4 -4.0 -4.8 -0.4 -1.8 -2.7 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 99.8 99.9 99.7 99.9 2.8 -2.7 -2.8 0.4 0.0 -1.2 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (5) 31.8 30.8 31.1 30.8 -21.6 -22.0 -27.0 -12.0 -21.8 -19.8 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... 55.1 54.0 52.5 50.6 -29.2 -32.0 -25.5 -28.9 -30.6 -27.2 Other goods and services ................... 258.6 259.4 262.4 261.4 4.1 36.8 -0.2 4.4 19.4 2.1 Tobacco and smoking products .............. 344.2 345.2 357.0 352.0 7.9 141.8 -5.7 9.4 61.6 1.6 Personal care (1).......................... 160.8 161.3 161.3 161.6 2.3 3.8 3.0 2.0 3.1 2.5 Personal care products (1)................ 151.6 153.3 152.7 153.1 0.5 2.7 2.1 4.0 1.6 3.1 Personal care services (1)................ 171.4 171.2 171.8 172.2 2.4 3.9 4.3 1.9 3.1 3.1 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 241.8 242.4 243.2 243.8 4.5 5.2 2.3 3.3 4.8 2.8 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 144.2 143.9 144.6 145.2 0.8 0.8 4.9 2.8 0.8 3.8 Food and beverages ......................... 163.4 163.5 163.8 164.1 2.8 2.5 0.7 1.7 2.6 1.2 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 132.6 132.2 133.1 133.8 -0.6 0.0 7.2 3.7 -0.3 5.4 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 137.3 136.5 138.3 139.6 -0.6 2.1 14.9 6.9 0.8 10.8 Apparel .................................. 130.6 130.0 129.1 128.4 0.0 -7.6 3.8 -6.6 -3.9 -1.5 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 145.3 144.8 147.3 150.2 -0.9 8.5 19.1 14.2 3.7 16.6 Durables .................................. 125.5 125.6 125.8 126.0 -0.3 -4.6 -1.0 1.6 -2.5 0.3 Services .................................... 184.8 185.0 185.6 185.7 2.7 2.0 2.9 2.0 2.3 2.4 Rent of shelter (4)......................... 174.4 174.7 174.9 175.3 4.0 1.9 3.0 2.1 3.0 2.6 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).... 100.9 102.3 102.2 102.3 3.7 0.4 2.0 5.7 2.0 3.8 Gas (piped) and electricity (3)............. 118.2 118.3 119.0 119.4 -2.0 -1.0 -0.3 4.1 -1.5 1.9 Water and sewer and trash collection services (2)............................ 103.7 103.9 103.9 104.0 2.8 2.4 2.3 1.2 2.6 1.8 Household operations (1) (2)................ 104.5 104.8 104.8 105.4 3.6 2.7 2.7 3.5 3.2 3.1 Transportation services .................... 187.5 187.1 188.5 188.0 -0.6 2.2 2.2 1.1 0.8 1.6 Medical care services ...................... 253.8 254.7 255.3 255.8 2.6 3.2 3.7 3.2 2.9 3.4 Other services ............................. 219.1 219.6 220.1 220.5 3.2 2.8 2.4 2.6 3.0 2.5 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 162.3 162.3 163.0 163.4 1.5 1.3 4.3 2.7 1.4 3.5 All items less shelter ...................... 157.5 157.4 158.1 158.6 0.8 1.3 3.9 2.8 1.0 3.4 All items less medical care ................. 158.6 158.6 159.2 159.6 1.8 1.3 3.6 2.5 1.5 3.1 Commodities less food ....................... 134.2 133.9 134.7 135.5 -0.6 0.0 7.2 3.9 -0.3 5.5 Nondurables less food ....................... 139.2 138.5 140.1 141.4 0.3 1.8 14.4 6.5 1.0 10.4 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 146.7 146.3 148.6 151.2 -0.3 7.7 17.8 12.8 3.6 15.3 Nondurables ................................. 150.5 150.5 151.4 152.3 0.8 2.5 6.9 4.9 1.6 5.9 Services less rent of shelter (4)............ 173.3 173.6 174.2 174.7 0.9 1.6 2.3 3.3 1.3 2.8 Services less medical care services ......... 179.0 179.2 179.7 180.0 2.5 1.8 2.7 2.3 2.2 2.5 Energy ...................................... 104.6 103.3 105.7 108.7 -5.1 -6.3 31.4 16.6 -5.7 23.8 All items less energy ....................... 170.8 171.0 171.3 171.4 2.4 2.1 1.7 1.4 2.3 1.5 All items less food and energy ............. 172.9 173.1 173.5 173.6 2.4 1.9 1.9 1.6 2.1 1.8 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 144.0 144.1 144.3 144.1 0.8 1.4 0.3 0.3 1.1 0.3 Energy commodities ....................... 99.0 96.4 100.4 105.7 -8.5 -11.6 76.4 29.9 -10.1 51.4 Services less energy services ............. 192.4 192.7 193.2 193.4 3.0 2.1 3.0 2.1 2.6 2.5 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 This index series was calculated using a Laspeyres estimator. All other item stratum index series converted to a geometric means estimator in January, 1999. 4 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base 5 Indexes on a December 1988=100 base. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date. Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): Selected areas, all items index (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) All items Prici- Indexes Percent change to Percent change to CPI-W ng Aug.1999 from-- July1999 from-- sched- ule May June July Aug. (1) 1999 1999 1999 1999 Aug. June July July May June 1998 1999 1999 1998 1999 1999 U.S. city average ........................... M 162.8 162.8 163.3 163.8 2.4 0.6 0.3 2.2 0.3 0.3 Region and area size(2) Northeast urban ............................. M 169.7 170.0 170.2 170.9 2.3 0.5 0.4 2.2 0.3 0.1 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 169.4 169.9 170.3 171.0 2.3 0.6 0.4 2.3 0.5 0.2 Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).......... M 103.5 103.4 103.4 103.8 2.1 0.4 0.4 1.9 -0.1 0.0 Midwest urban ............................... M 158.3 158.5 159.1 159.4 2.4 0.6 0.2 2.1 0.5 0.4 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 158.9 159.3 159.9 160.2 2.4 0.6 0.2 2.2 0.6 0.4 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 103.4 103.4 103.8 104.0 2.3 0.6 0.2 1.9 0.4 0.4 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 154.4 154.9 155.4 156.1 3.1 0.8 0.5 2.4 0.6 0.3 South urban ................................. M 159.7 159.7 160.1 160.6 2.0 0.6 0.3 1.8 0.3 0.3 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 158.1 158.4 158.9 159.5 2.0 0.7 0.4 1.8 0.5 0.3 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........ M 103.7 103.6 103.9 104.0 1.9 0.4 0.1 2.0 0.2 0.3 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 162.6 162.3 163.0 164.1 2.2 1.1 0.7 1.6 0.2 0.4 West urban .................................. M 164.7 164.2 164.7 165.3 2.9 0.7 0.4 2.7 0.0 0.3 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 164.0 163.5 164.0 164.7 3.1 0.7 0.4 3.0 0.0 0.3 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 104.7 104.3 104.7 105.1 2.7 0.8 0.4 2.5 0.0 0.4 Size classes A (4)...................................... M 149.0 149.2 149.6 150.1 2.5 0.6 0.3 2.3 0.4 0.3 B/C (3).................................... M 103.8 103.6 103.9 104.1 2.2 0.5 0.2 2.0 0.1 0.3 D ......................................... M 160.8 160.9 161.3 162.1 2.4 0.7 0.5 1.9 0.3 0.2 Selected local areas(5) Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI .............. M 162.3 163.0 163.4 163.5 2.4 0.3 0.1 1.7 0.7 0.2 Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ..... M 159.7 158.9 159.2 159.8 2.4 0.6 0.4 2.1 -0.3 0.2 New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA ............................. M 171.5 172.1 172.5 173.2 2.1 0.6 0.4 2.0 0.6 0.2 Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT ......... 1 172.6 - 173.3 - - - - 2.7 0.4 - Cleveland-Akron, OH ......................... 1 153.7 - 154.9 - - - - 1.8 0.8 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ....................... 1 157.0 - 158.0 - - - - 2.6 0.6 - Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (6)........ 1 103.4 - 104.3 - - - - 1.8 0.9 - Atlanta, GA ................................. 2 - 161.9 - 163.2 2.6 0.8 - - - - Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI ................. 2 - 158.3 - 158.7 2.3 0.3 - - - - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .............. 2 - 147.1 - 147.9 1.2 0.5 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ................... 2 - 158.9 - 160.0 1.3 0.7 - - - - Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE-MD ............................. 2 - 171.9 - 172.6 2.8 0.4 - - - - San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .......... 2 - 168.3 - 170.0 4.5 1.0 - - - - Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................ 2 - 168.0 - 168.8 3.1 0.5 - - - - 1 Areas on pricing schedule 2 (see Table 10) will appear next month. 2 Regions defined as the four Census regions. See map in technical notes. 3 Indexes on a December 1996=100 base. 4 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 5 In addition, the following metropolitan areas are published semiannually and appear in Tables 34 and 39 of the January and July issues of the CPI Detailed Report: Anchorage, AK; Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN; Denver-Boulder-Greeley, CO; Honolulu, HI; Kansas City, MO-KS; Milwaukee-Racine, WI; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland-Salem, OR-WA; St. Louis, MO-IL; San Diego, CA; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. 6 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.