FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000 USDL-98-382 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: Thursday, September 17, 1998 http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: AUGUST 1998 The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.1 percent in August, before seasonal adjustment, to a level of 163.4 (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 has increased 1.6 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) also rose 0.1 percent in August, prior to seasonal adjustment. The August 1998 CPI-W level of 160.0 was 1.4 percent higher than the index in August 1997. CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent in August, the same as in July. In August the food index increased 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. Prices for food at home advanced 0.3 percent as a sharp increase in prices for dairy products was partially offset by a decline in the index for fruits and vegetables. The energy index, which was unchanged in July, declined 1.0 percent in August. The index for petroleum-based energy decreased 1.4 percent, and the index for energy services fell 0.4 percent. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U increased 0.2 percent in August, the same as in July. An upturn in the index for apparel, reflecting the introduction of fall-winter wear, was largely offset by smaller increases in the indexes for cigarettes and airline fares, coupled with a decline in the index for telephone services. 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 1998 3-mos. ended ended Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Aug. `98 Aug. `98 All Items .1 .0 .2 .3 .1 .2 .2 1.7 1.6 Food and beverages .0 .0 .1 .5 .1 .2 .3 2.8 2.1 Housing .1 .2 .4 .3 .1 .2 .1 1.8 2.5 Apparel .2 -.2 -.1 .4 .2 -.3 1.1 4.0 1.2 Transportation -.4 -.5 -.1 .1 -.3 .3 .0 .0 -1.8 Medical care .3 .3 .4 .3 .4 .2 .4 3.9 3.5 Recreation .3 .4 .0 .0 .1 .0 .1 .8 1.3 Education and communication -.1 .3 .3 .3 .1 .0 -.5 -1.6 1.5 Other goods and services .8 -.3 1.0 .7 .0 .7 .1 2.9 5.4 Special Indexes Energy -2.2 -1.2 -.1 .3 -.7 .0 -1.0 -6.4 -7.7 Food .0 .0 .1 .6 .1 .2 .2 2.5 2.2 All Items less food and energy .3 .1 .3 .2 .1 .2 .2 2.1 2.5 Beginning with release of data for January 1999, the BLS will introduce a new formula for calculating the basic components of the CPI. See page 4 for more details. See pages 5 and 6 for announcements on methodological changes concerning utility rebates and hedonic quality adjustment for televisions. During the first eight months of 1998, the CPI-U rose at a 1.6 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 1.7 percent for all of 1997. Declines in energy costs have continued to act as a moderating influence on overall consumer price index movements thus far in 1998, decreasing at a 10.5 percent annual rate after declining 3.4 percent in all of 1997. Food costs, which rose 1.5 percent in 1997, have risen at a 2.4 percent SAAR in the first eight months of 1998. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U has advanced at a 2.5 percent rate thus far in 1998, compared with a 2.2 percent rise for all of 1997. The food and beverages index rose 0.3 percent in August. The index for food at home increased 0.3 percent in August, the same as in July. A 1.6 percent increase in the index for dairy products accounted for almost half of the August food at home advance. The indexes for other food at home--reflecting a 5.3 percent increase in butter prices--and cereal and bakery products rose 0.7 and 0.5 percent , respectively. On the other hand, prices for fruits and vegetables and for non-alcoholic beverages turned down in August, and the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs moderated. The index for fruits and vegetables, which rose 0.3 percent in July, declined 0.4 percent in August. The indexes for fresh fruits and for fresh vegetables declined 0.5 and 1.0 percent, respectively, more than offsetting a 0.5 percent increase in the index for processed fruits and vegetables. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, prices for fresh fruits rose 0.5 percent, while fresh vegetable prices fell 3.9 percent.) The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.3 percent in August, following a 0.5 percent increase in July. A 0.3 percent decline in meat prices was more than offset by increases in prices for poultry, eggs, and fish and seafood. Prices for poultry and for fish and seafood rose 1.5 and 1.2 percent, respectively, and the index for eggs rose 1.0 percent. The other two components of the food and beverage index--food away from home and alcoholic beverages--rose 0.2 percent and were unchanged, respectively. The housing component rose 0.1 percent in August. Shelter costs rose 0.3 percent, following increases of 0.2 percent in each of the preceding two months. Within shelter, the index for rent rose 0.3 percent; owners' equivalent rent, 0.2 percent; and the cost of lodging away from home, 0.7 percent. The index for fuels and utilities, which was unchanged in July, declined 0.4 percent in August. The indexes for electricity and for fuel oil each declined 0.9 percent, more than offsetting a 0.4 percent rise in the index for natural gas. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, charges for natural gas declined 0.5 percent.) The index for household furnishings and operations declined 0.2 percent in August. The transportation component was unchanged in August, following a 0.3 percent rise in July. The index for motor fuel, which was unchanged in July, declined 1.6 percent in August. Gasoline prices have fallen 10.1 percent thus far in 1998 and are 23.3 percent lower than their peak level in November 1990. The index for new and used vehicle prices rose 0.2 percent. The index for new vehicles, which increased 0.5 percent in July, rose 0.3 percent in August. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, new vehicle prices rose 0.1 percent.) The index for used cars and trucks fell 0.1 percent. Public transportation costs increased 2.2 percent in August. The index for airline fares, which typically declines in August, increased 0.2 percent. The index for apparel rose 1.1 percent in August, following a 0.3 percent decline in July. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel prices rose 1.5 percent, reflecting the introduction of higher priced fall-winter wear.) Medical care costs rose 0.4 percent in August to a level 3.5 percent above a year ago. The index for medical care commodities--prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.6 percent. The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent. Charges for professional services and for hospital and related services each increased 0.3 percent. The index for recreation costs rose 0.1 percent in August. Increases in the indexes for admissions to sporting events, for club membership dues and fees for participant sports, and for books were partially offset by declines in the indexes for sporting goods and for other recreational goods. The index for education and communication declined 0.5 percent in August. A 0.4 percent increase in education costs was more than offset by a decline in the index for information processing costs. Within the latter group, the indexes for telephone services and for personal computers and peripheral equipment declined 1.1 and 5.5 percent, respectively. The index for other goods and services, which rose 0.7 percent in July, increased 0.1 percent in August. The deceleration largely was attributable to moderation in the index for tobacco and smoking products, which rose 0.1 percent in August after increasing 2.6 percent in July. CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers increased 0.1 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 1998 3-mos. ended ended Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Aug.`98 Aug. `98 All Items .0 -.1 .3 .3 .1 .2 .1 1.3 1.4 Food and beverages .0 .0 .0 .6 .1 .3 .2 2.5 2.0 Housing .1 .3 .3 .3 .1 .2 .1 1.5 2.3 Apparel -.2 -.5 .2 .3 .3 -.4 .9 3.4 .4 Transportation -.4 -.6 .0 .1 -.1 .2 -.1 -.3 -2.2 Medical care .2 .3 .4 .3 .5 .2 .3 4.1 3.5 Recreation .3 .3 .1 -.2 .1 -.1 .2 .8 1.0 Education and communication .0 .4 .2 .4 .1 .1 -.5 -1.2 1.8 Other goods and services 1.1 -.6 1.4 .8 -.1 .9 .2 3.6 6.3 Special Indexes Energy -2.1 -1.3 -.2 .3 -.6 -.1 -1.1 -6.8 -8.3 Food -.1 .0 .1 .6 .1 .3 .3 2.8 2.1 All Items less food and energy .2 .1 .4 .2 .1 .2 .2 2.1 2.3 Consumer Price Index data for September are scheduled for release on Friday, October 16, 1998, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT). -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Planned change in the Consumer Price Index Formula On April 16, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced its decision to use a new formula for calculating the basic components of the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This change will become effective with data for January 1999. The new formula, the geometric mean estimator, will be used in index categories that comprise approximately 61 percent of total consumer spending represented by the CPI-U. The remaining index categories, which are shown in the table below, will continue to be calculated as they are currently. Based upon BLS research, it is expected that planned use of the new formula will reduce the annual rate of increase in the CPI by approximately 0.2 percentage point per year. The geometric mean estimator will be introduced in both the CPI-U and the CPI-W effective with data for January 1999, in accord with the past practice of introducing methodological changes at the beginning of a calendar year. BLS will continue to publish "overlap" CPI-U and CPI-W series using the current calculation method for the first six months of 1999. These indexes will not be published regularly for months subsequent to June 1999, but will be available upon request. Additional information on this change was published in the April 1998 CPI Detailed Report and is available on the Internet (http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm). This information may also be obtained by writing to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., Room 3615 Washington, D.C. 20212-0001 or by calling (202) 606-7000. Arithmetic Mean (Laspeyres) Formula 1. Selected shelter services: A) Rent of primary B) Owners' equivalent C) Housing at school, residence rent of primary excluding board residence 2. Selected utilities and government charges: A) Electricity C) Residential water and E) Telephone services, sewerage maintenance local charges B) Utility natural gas D) State and local F) Cable television service registration, license, and motor vehicle property tax 3. Selected medical care services: A) Physicians' services C) Eyeglasses and eye E) Hospital services care B) Dental services D) Services by other F) Nursing homes and medical professionals adult daycare -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Improvements to CPI Procedures for Handling Refunds for Utilities Effective with the calculation of the index for January 1999, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will change its treatment of refunds for electricity, natural gas, or other utility services when the refunds are based on earlier periods' utility consumption amounts. The change will affect both the price indexes and the average prices computed by the CPI program. Under the current practice, the CPI utility indexes reflect refunds that appear on current period bills but that are based on past period utility consumption. Generally these refunds result from the rollback of temporary rate increases, lower than anticipated energy costs, or a reevaluation of rates with respect to actual costs. The current practice makes these indexes rather volatile and do not reflect the actual current price (for example, what a new customer would pay) for a utility service such as electricity. Under the new procedure, the CPI will disregard any refund for past excess charges when it appears on residential customer bills as a separate refund credit that is subtracted from the charges for current billing period's usage. The movement of the CPI utility indexes will reflect all changes in rates-generally in the month they are effective. The CPI utility indexes will continue to reflect current period credits that are based on current period consumption, such as those associated with purchased gas or fuel adjustments. For additional information on this change, write to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Room 3615, Washington, DC 20212-0001; or telephone Bob Adkins at (202) 606-6985 ext. 264, or send e-mail to Adkins_B@bls.gov -------------------------------------------------------------------- Using a hedonic model to adjust television prices in the Consumer Price Index for changes in quality Effective with the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January 1999, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will introduce an improvement in the way in which it calculates the Television stratum of the CPI. As of December 1997, Televisions constituted 0.215 percent in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (the CPI-U) and 0.256 percent in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (the CPI-W). Bureau of Labor Statistics researchers developed a regression procedure, called a hedonic model, that decomposes the price of television sets into implicit prices for each important feature and component /1. This model uses Television observations collected for the CPI and provides an estimate of the value of each of the significant features and components of the sets for which prices are collected. This yields a mechanism for replacing obsolete televisions in the CPI sample with current ones, allowing the CPI to capture the price change that may occur as new models replace old ones in the market place without counting the value of quality improvements as price increases. The CPI has used similar hedonic methods to adjust apparel prices for many years. In January 1998, the CPI began using a similar approach for Personal Computers. In the coming years, BLS plans to extend the method to additional CPI items. Starting with the CPI for January 1999, when a television model in the CPI sample improves in some way, the value of that change, as derived from the regression estimates, will be deducted from the observed price change for that product. (Conversely, if a model deteriorates, the value of the difference will be added to the price.) For additional information on these changes, write to Bureau of Labor Statistics Division of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Room 3260 Washington, DC 20212-0001 or telephone Tim LaFleur at (202) 606-6982 ext. 253, or send e-mail to LaFleur_T@bls.gov /1 Brent R. Moulton, Timothy J. LaFleur, and Karin E. Moses, "Research on Improved Quality Adjustment in the CPI: The Case of Televisions," presented to the Conference of the Ottawa Group, April 1998. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLS to Maintain Current Reference Base of 1982-84=100 for most CPI index series The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) previously indicated its intention to change the numerical reference base for both the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from their present 1982-84=100 base to a 1993-95=100 base, effective with release of the January 1999 index in February 1999. BLS also indicated that the alternate, or 1967=100 base, would be discontinued in 1999 as well. This plan was initially described in the December 1996 Monthly Labor Review, a publication which contained several articles that dealt with the 1998 CPI Revision. The BLS has now decided not to implement this rebasing plan. Instead, the BLS will maintain the reference base of 1982-84=100 used for most items. In addition, the 1967=100 reference base will continue to be the alternate base for the All Items indexes. This decision is based in part on the fact that historical data have less precision after rebasing. Rebasing is simply an arithmetic transformation that does not substantially impact the index. Because the rebased index values are smaller, however, the loss of precision due to rounding is more serious. In addition, retaining the old index reference bases would spare users the inconvenience associated with conversion. Changes in the numerical reference base should not be confused with the plans by BLS to update the market basket of the CPI. Since release of the January CPI in February 1998, the expenditure weights applied to CPI categories have been based on consumer spending patterns for 1993-95. 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. 1998 from- percent change from- CPI-U December 1997 July Aug. 1998 1998 Aug. July May to June to July to 1997 1998 June July Aug. Expenditure category All items ................................... 100.000 163.2 163.4 1.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 All items (1967=100) ........................ - 488.8 489.6 - - - - - Food and beverages ......................... 16.310 160.9 161.4 2.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 Food ...................................... 15.326 160.5 161.0 2.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 Food at home ............................. 9.646 160.8 161.4 1.8 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.3 Cereals and bakery products ............. 1.536 181.8 182.7 2.3 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.5 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 2.629 146.9 148.2 -0.6 0.9 0.0 0.5 0.3 Dairy and related products (1)........... 1.037 148.2 150.5 5.0 1.6 0.0 0.1 1.6 Fruits and vegetables ................... 1.394 198.2 195.9 4.6 -1.2 -1.0 0.3 -0.4 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 1.077 132.3 132.0 -3.4 -0.2 0.4 0.0 -0.7 Other food at home ...................... 1.972 151.1 152.1 2.3 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.7 Sugar and sweets ....................... .377 149.9 150.2 1.6 0.2 0.9 -0.7 0.6 Fats and oils .......................... .291 147.6 149.7 5.9 1.4 1.6 2.6 2.0 Other foods ............................ 1.305 165.9 166.9 3.2 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.5 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... .309 102.6 103.5 - 0.9 1.1 0.1 0.9 Food away from home (1)................... 5.680 161.1 161.5 2.6 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ .172 101.6 102.3 - 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.7 Alcoholic beverages ....................... .983 165.6 165.7 1.5 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.0 Housing .................................... 39.560 161.2 161.5 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 Shelter ................................... 29.788 182.6 183.3 3.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 Rent of primary residence ................ 6.885 172.2 172.8 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 Lodging away from home (2)................ 2.327 111.7 112.9 - 1.1 -0.7 -0.7 0.7 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3)......................... 20.199 188.0 188.5 3.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. .377 99.3 99.2 - -0.1 -0.5 0.2 -0.1 Fuels and utilities ....................... 4.942 131.3 130.6 -0.6 -0.5 -0.4 0.0 -0.4 Fuels .................................... 4.018 116.8 115.9 -2.3 -0.8 -0.5 0.0 -0.4 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ .261 87.8 86.7 -7.3 -1.3 -1.2 -0.3 -0.7 Gas (piped) and electricity ............. 3.757 124.9 124.0 -2.1 -0.7 -0.4 0.0 -0.4 Household furnishings and operations ...... 4.831 127.2 126.8 1.3 -0.3 0.2 0.3 -0.2 Apparel .................................... 4.944 129.6 131.6 1.2 1.5 0.2 -0.3 1.1 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 1.390 129.4 130.6 1.3 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.3 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 1.990 120.6 123.8 2.9 2.7 0.6 -0.9 1.9 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... .268 122.0 124.4 -2.3 2.0 -1.7 -2.2 2.0 Footwear .................................. .895 127.0 127.7 1.1 0.6 1.5 0.1 0.7 Transportation ............................. 17.578 141.8 141.2 -1.8 -0.4 -0.3 0.3 0.0 Private transportation .................... 16.240 138.0 137.4 -2.4 -0.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 7.899 99.9 99.9 0.4 0.0 -0.1 0.4 0.2 New vehicles ............................ 5.063 142.7 142.8 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.5 0.3 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 1.880 151.3 151.1 1.8 -0.1 0.6 0.3 -0.1 Motor fuel ............................... 2.995 93.7 91.6 -14.9 -2.2 -1.0 0.0 -1.6 Gasoline (all types) .................... 2.976 93.2 91.1 -15.2 -2.3 -0.9 -0.2 -1.5 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ .560 101.1 101.2 -0.6 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 1.603 166.8 167.3 2.4 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.2 Public transportation ..................... 1.338 192.0 192.2 4.8 0.1 -1.1 1.0 2.2 Medical care ............................... 5.614 242.7 243.5 3.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.4 Medical care commodities .................. 1.222 222.2 223.1 3.5 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.6 Medical care services ..................... 4.392 247.4 248.2 3.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 Professional services .................... 2.808 222.8 223.3 3.2 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.3 Hospital and related services ............ 1.334 288.2 289.5 3.8 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.3 Recreation (2).............................. 6.145 101.1 101.3 1.3 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 1.763 101.1 101.2 1.2 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1 Education and communication (2)............. 5.528 100.0 100.1 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.0 -0.5 Education (2).............................. 2.615 101.0 102.6 4.9 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 Educational books and supplies ........... .194 249.0 249.1 3.8 0.0 0.0 0.4 -0.3 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 2.421 291.1 295.8 4.9 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 Communication (1) (2)...................... 2.913 99.1 97.9 -1.9 -1.2 0.0 -0.3 -1.2 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 2.706 99.0 97.7 -2.1 -1.3 0.0 -0.3 -1.3 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 2.357 101.5 100.4 - -1.1 0.3 0.1 -1.1 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (4) .350 39.1 37.6 -22.0 -3.8 -2.2 -3.7 -3.8 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... .234 75.2 71.1 - -5.5 -3.3 -6.0 -5.5 Other goods and services ................... 4.321 237.8 238.0 5.4 0.1 0.0 0.7 0.1 Tobacco and smoking products .............. .894 273.2 273.7 12.4 0.2 -0.6 2.6 0.1 Personal care (1).......................... 3.427 157.0 157.1 3.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Personal care products (1)................ .737 149.1 148.5 3.5 -0.4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.4 Personal care services (1)................ .963 166.1 166.6 2.4 0.3 -0.1 0.5 0.3 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 1.465 235.1 235.7 3.1 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 42.635 141.6 141.7 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.1 Food and beverages ......................... 16.310 160.9 161.4 2.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 26.326 130.1 130.0 -1.0 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 0.0 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 14.729 131.8 131.9 -1.4 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.1 Apparel .................................. 4.944 129.6 131.6 1.2 1.5 0.2 -0.3 1.1 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 9.785 138.0 137.1 -2.6 -0.7 0.0 0.1 -0.4 Durables .................................. 11.596 127.5 127.2 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 0.3 0.0 Services .................................... 57.365 184.9 185.3 2.8 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Rent of shelter (3)......................... 29.410 190.1 190.8 3.3 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.4 Transportation services .................... 6.984 187.8 187.8 1.9 0.0 -0.2 0.2 0.4 Other services ............................. 10.625 216.9 217.6 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 84.674 163.6 163.9 1.6 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items less shelter ...................... 70.212 157.3 157.4 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items less medical care ................. 94.386 158.7 159.0 1.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 Commodities less food ....................... 27.309 131.5 131.4 -0.9 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.0 Nondurables less food ....................... 15.712 133.8 133.9 -1.2 0.1 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 10.768 139.7 138.9 -2.3 -0.6 0.1 0.1 -0.3 Nondurables ................................. 31.039 146.4 146.8 0.5 0.3 -0.1 0.2 0.0 Services less rent of shelter (3)............ 27.955 192.6 192.7 2.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 Services less medical care services ......... 52.973 179.0 179.5 2.7 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 Energy ...................................... 7.013 105.2 103.8 -7.7 -1.3 -0.7 0.0 -1.0 All items less energy ....................... 92.987 170.8 171.2 2.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 All items less food and energy ............. 77.661 173.3 173.8 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 24.053 142.4 142.7 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 Energy commodities ....................... 3.256 93.3 91.3 -14.0 -2.1 -1.0 -0.1 -1.4 Services less energy services ............. 53.608 190.9 191.5 3.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1982-84=$1.00) ......................... - $ .613 $ .612 - - - - - Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1967=$1.00) ............................ - $ .205 $ .204 - - - - - 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 4 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. 1998 1998 1998 1998 Nov. Feb. May Aug. Feb. Aug. 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 Expenditure category All items ................................... 162.9 163.0 163.3 163.6 2.3 0.5 2.2 1.7 1.4 2.0 Food and beverages ......................... 160.6 160.8 161.2 161.7 2.0 1.3 2.3 2.8 1.6 2.5 Food ...................................... 160.4 160.6 161.0 161.4 2.0 1.3 2.5 2.5 1.7 2.5 Food at home ............................. 160.7 160.8 161.3 161.8 1.3 0.5 2.5 2.8 0.9 2.6 Cereals and bakery products ............. 180.5 181.0 181.2 182.1 1.8 1.3 2.5 3.6 1.6 3.0 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 146.9 146.9 147.6 148.1 -1.6 -3.7 -0.8 3.3 -2.7 1.2 Dairy and related products (1)........... 148.1 148.1 148.2 150.5 10.4 1.9 1.1 6.6 6.1 3.8 Fruits and vegetables ................... 203.5 201.4 202.0 201.1 2.5 6.8 18.9 -4.6 4.7 6.5 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 132.5 133.0 133.0 132.1 -4.6 -3.5 -4.7 -1.2 -4.0 -3.0 Other food at home ...................... 149.2 150.4 150.9 152.0 -0.3 0.8 1.1 7.7 0.3 4.3 Sugar and sweets ....................... 149.0 150.3 149.3 150.2 2.5 1.9 -1.1 3.3 2.2 1.1 Fats and oils .......................... 141.1 143.3 147.0 149.9 -0.8 -0.8 0.3 27.4 -0.8 13.0 Other foods ............................ 164.5 165.5 165.7 166.5 2.8 3.2 1.7 5.0 3.0 3.3 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... 101.4 102.5 102.6 103.5 - - 4.0 8.5 - 6.3 Food away from home (1)................... 160.6 160.7 161.1 161.5 3.1 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.8 2.4 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ 100.6 101.0 101.6 102.3 - - 0.8 6.9 - 3.8 Alcoholic beverages ....................... 164.7 165.3 165.8 165.8 1.7 1.7 -0.2 2.7 1.7 1.2 Housing .................................... 159.9 160.1 160.4 160.6 3.4 1.0 3.3 1.8 2.2 2.5 Shelter ................................... 181.3 181.6 181.9 182.4 3.0 3.4 4.1 2.4 3.2 3.3 Rent of primary residence ................ 171.3 171.8 172.2 172.8 3.1 2.6 3.8 3.5 2.9 3.7 Lodging away from home (2)................ 102.1 101.4 100.7 101.4 - - 7.4 -2.7 - 2.2 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3)......................... 187.2 187.6 188.1 188.5 2.7 3.5 3.7 2.8 3.1 3.3 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. 99.6 99.1 99.3 99.2 - - -2.4 -1.6 - -2.0 Fuels and utilities ....................... 128.8 128.3 128.3 127.8 6.3 -12.1 2.8 -3.1 -3.4 -0.2 Fuels .................................... 113.5 112.9 112.9 112.4 9.7 -17.9 2.9 -3.8 -5.1 -0.5 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ 91.7 90.6 90.3 89.7 -0.4 -17.7 -0.9 -8.4 -9.5 -4.7 Gas (piped) and electricity ............. 121.1 120.6 120.6 120.1 10.8 -18.0 2.7 -3.3 -4.7 -0.3 Household furnishings and operations ...... 126.4 126.6 127.0 126.8 0.6 2.3 1.0 1.3 1.4 1.1 Apparel .................................... 132.9 133.2 132.8 134.2 1.2 -0.9 0.6 4.0 0.2 2.3 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 131.5 131.7 131.9 132.3 0.9 3.4 -1.5 2.5 2.2 0.5 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 126.5 127.2 126.0 128.4 3.2 -2.5 3.9 6.1 0.3 5.0 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... 126.9 124.7 122.0 124.4 -4.0 -8.9 12.9 -7.7 -6.5 2.1 Footwear .................................. 126.5 128.4 128.5 129.4 1.6 -4.3 -1.9 9.5 -1.4 3.7 Transportation ............................. 141.7 141.3 141.7 141.7 -1.1 -4.1 -2.0 0.0 -2.6 -1.0 Private transportation .................... 138.1 137.9 138.2 137.9 -1.4 -5.3 -2.0 -0.6 -3.4 -1.3 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 100.2 100.1 100.5 100.7 - - 0.4 2.0 - 1.2 New vehicles ............................ 143.2 142.7 143.4 143.9 -1.4 -0.6 -0.8 2.0 -1.0 0.6 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 150.0 150.9 151.3 151.1 -2.4 2.2 4.4 3.0 -0.1 3.7 Motor fuel ............................... 93.0 92.1 92.1 90.6 -4.8 -29.2 -13.4 -9.9 -17.9 -11.7 Gasoline (all types) .................... 92.3 91.5 91.3 89.9 -5.2 -29.6 -14.2 -10.0 -18.3 -12.1 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ 100.7 101.2 101.3 101.3 -1.6 -1.6 -1.6 2.4 -1.6 0.4 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 165.9 166.6 167.0 167.3 1.5 4.0 1.0 3.4 2.7 2.2 Public transportation ..................... 190.2 188.2 190.1 194.2 1.7 11.9 -2.5 8.7 6.7 2.9 Medical care ............................... 241.4 242.3 242.8 243.7 2.7 3.1 4.3 3.9 2.9 4.1 Medical care commodities .................. 221.2 221.6 221.7 223.1 1.5 3.0 6.0 3.5 2.2 4.7 Medical care services ..................... 245.7 246.8 247.4 248.2 3.0 3.2 3.7 4.1 3.1 3.9 Professional services .................... 221.3 222.3 222.6 223.3 2.2 3.2 3.9 3.7 2.7 3.8 Hospital and related services ............ 285.9 286.7 288.5 289.5 3.6 3.6 2.7 5.1 3.6 3.9 Recreation (2).............................. 101.0 101.1 101.1 101.2 - - 1.6 0.8 - 1.2 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 101.2 101.2 101.1 101.2 1.2 3.6 0.0 0.0 2.4 0.0 Education and communication (2)............. 100.8 100.9 100.9 100.4 - - 3.7 -1.6 - 1.0 Education (2).............................. 102.3 102.6 102.9 103.3 - - 6.5 4.0 - 5.2 Educational books and supplies ........... 249.9 249.8 250.8 250.1 3.2 3.5 8.4 0.3 3.3 4.3 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 293.5 294.3 295.3 296.4 4.5 4.8 6.4 4.0 4.7 5.2 Communication (1) (2)...................... 99.4 99.4 99.1 97.9 1.2 -3.5 0.8 -5.9 -1.2 -2.6 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 99.3 99.3 99.0 97.7 1.2 -3.9 0.8 -6.3 -1.4 -2.8 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 101.1 101.4 101.5 100.4 - - 4.5 -2.7 - 0.8 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (4) 41.5 40.6 39.1 37.6 -4.9 -25.0 -23.0 -32.6 -15.5 -28.0 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... 82.7 80.0 75.2 71.1 - - -32.7 -45.4 - -39.4 Other goods and services ................... 237.0 236.9 238.5 238.7 5.6 6.8 5.8 2.9 6.2 4.3 Tobacco and smoking products .............. 268.4 266.9 273.8 274.2 10.9 18.6 11.5 8.9 14.7 10.2 Personal care (1).......................... 156.6 156.8 157.0 157.1 4.8 1.8 4.2 1.3 3.3 2.7 Personal care products (1)................ 149.3 149.2 149.1 148.5 7.4 1.7 7.3 -2.1 4.5 2.5 Personal care services (1)................ 165.4 165.3 166.1 166.6 2.0 2.0 2.7 2.9 2.0 2.8 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 233.3 234.2 234.8 235.7 2.8 2.6 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.6 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 141.9 141.8 142.1 142.2 1.1 -1.4 0.3 0.8 -0.1 0.6 Food and beverages ......................... 160.6 160.8 161.2 161.7 2.0 1.3 2.3 2.8 1.6 2.5 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 130.7 130.6 130.7 130.7 0.0 -3.0 -0.9 0.0 -1.5 -0.5 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 132.7 132.6 132.7 132.6 0.9 -5.2 -0.9 -0.3 -2.2 -0.6 Apparel .................................. 132.9 133.2 132.8 134.2 1.2 -0.9 0.6 4.0 0.2 2.3 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 137.5 137.5 137.6 137.1 -0.3 -8.3 -0.6 -1.2 -4.4 -0.9 Durables .................................. 127.4 127.4 127.8 127.8 -1.2 -0.3 -1.2 1.3 -0.8 0.0 Services .................................... 183.9 184.1 184.4 184.8 3.1 2.0 3.6 2.0 2.6 2.8 Rent of shelter (3)......................... 189.0 189.3 189.5 190.3 3.3 3.3 4.1 2.8 3.3 3.4 Transportation services .................... 187.8 187.5 187.8 188.6 1.1 4.6 0.0 1.7 2.8 0.9 Other services ............................. 216.8 217.5 217.8 218.1 2.5 3.2 4.6 2.4 2.9 3.5 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 163.2 163.3 163.6 163.8 2.3 0.2 2.2 1.5 1.2 1.9 All items less shelter ...................... 157.1 157.2 157.5 157.6 1.8 -0.8 1.3 1.3 0.5 1.3 All items less medical care ................. 158.3 158.3 158.6 158.9 2.3 0.3 2.0 1.5 1.3 1.8 Commodities less food ....................... 132.2 132.1 132.3 132.3 0.3 -2.7 -1.2 0.3 -1.2 -0.5 Nondurables less food ....................... 134.7 134.5 134.8 134.6 0.9 -4.3 -0.9 -0.3 -1.8 -0.6 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 139.1 139.2 139.3 138.9 0.0 -7.4 -0.9 -0.6 -3.8 -0.7 Nondurables ................................. 146.8 146.7 147.0 147.0 1.9 -1.9 0.8 0.5 0.0 0.7 Services less rent of shelter (3)............ 191.7 191.9 192.4 192.4 3.7 -0.2 3.8 1.5 1.7 2.7 Services less medical care services ......... 178.0 178.3 178.7 178.9 3.5 1.6 3.4 2.0 2.5 2.7 Energy ...................................... 103.2 102.5 102.5 101.5 2.9 -22.9 -4.2 -6.4 -10.9 -5.3 All items less energy ....................... 170.7 170.9 171.3 171.7 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.5 All items less food and energy ............. 173.3 173.5 173.8 174.2 2.1 2.8 2.6 2.1 2.5 2.3 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 143.2 143.2 143.4 143.7 1.1 1.1 0.8 1.4 1.1 1.1 Energy commodities ....................... 92.8 91.9 91.8 90.5 -4.1 -28.5 -12.3 -9.6 -17.2 -10.9 Services less energy services ............. 190.2 190.5 190.9 191.4 2.8 3.5 3.4 2.5 3.1 3.0 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 Indexes on a December 1982=100 base. 4 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 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.1998 from-- July1998 from-- sched- ule May June July Aug. (1) 1998 1998 1998 1998 Aug. June July July May June 1997 1998 1998 1997 1998 1998 U.S. city average ........................... M 162.8 163.0 163.2 163.4 1.6 0.2 0.1 1.7 0.2 0.1 Region and area size(2) Northeast urban ............................. M 169.4 169.6 169.9 170.5 1.6 0.5 0.4 1.4 0.3 0.2 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 170.2 170.4 170.7 171.4 1.8 0.6 0.4 1.5 0.3 0.2 Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).......... M 101.8 101.9 102.0 102.2 1.0 0.3 0.2 1.0 0.2 0.1 Midwest urban (4)............................ M 159.4 159.5 159.8 159.5 1.5 0.0 -0.2 2.0 0.3 0.2 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 160.5 160.8 161.2 161.0 1.9 0.1 -0.1 2.5 0.4 0.2 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 102.3 102.2 102.2 102.0 1.1 -0.2 -0.2 1.6 -0.1 0.0 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 153.4 153.3 153.5 153.3 0.5 0.0 -0.1 0.6 0.1 0.1 South urban ................................. M 158.8 159.1 159.3 159.5 1.5 0.3 0.1 1.5 0.3 0.1 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 157.7 158.4 158.5 158.9 1.9 0.3 0.3 1.7 0.5 0.1 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........ M 102.2 102.3 102.4 102.5 1.1 0.2 0.1 1.1 0.2 0.1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 159.3 160.0 160.0 160.2 2.4 0.1 0.1 2.3 0.4 0.0 West urban .................................. M 164.3 164.2 164.3 164.8 2.0 0.4 0.3 2.0 0.0 0.1 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 165.0 165.0 165.1 165.6 2.4 0.4 0.3 2.4 0.1 0.1 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 102.4 102.3 102.3 102.5 1.0 0.2 0.2 1.0 -0.1 0.0 Size classes A (5)...................................... M 147.3 147.5 147.7 148.1 2.1 0.4 0.3 2.0 0.3 0.1 B/C (3).................................... M 102.2 102.2 102.3 102.4 1.1 0.2 0.1 1.2 0.1 0.1 D ......................................... M 158.8 159.2 159.3 159.4 1.7 0.1 0.1 1.7 0.3 0.1 Selected local areas(6) Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI .............. M 165.6 166.0 166.5 165.4 1.8 -0.4 -0.7 3.0 0.5 0.3 Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ..... M 162.3 162.2 162.1 162.6 1.8 0.2 0.3 1.6 -0.1 -0.1 New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA ............................. M 173.0 173.1 173.6 174.2 2.0 0.6 0.3 1.6 0.3 0.3 Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT ......... 1 170.9 - 170.7 - - - - 2.2 -0.1 - Cleveland-Akron, OH ......................... 1 159.2 - 159.9 - - - - 2.3 0.4 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ....................... 1 153.0 - 154.2 - - - - - 0.8 - Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (7)........ 1 101.5 - 102.8 - - - - 1.7 1.3 - Atlanta, GA ................................. 2 - 162.0 - 161.9 - -0.1 - - - - Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI ................. 2 - 159.4 - 160.5 2.3 0.7 - - - - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .............. 2 - 146.4 - 147.4 1.4 0.7 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ................... 2 - 160.2 - 160.8 - 0.4 - - - - Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE-MD ............................. 2 - 168.0 - 168.6 1.1 0.4 - - - - San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .......... 2 - 165.5 - 166.6 3.3 0.7 - - - - Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................ 2 - 167.5 - 168.5 - 0.6 - - - - 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 The 'North Central' region has been renamed the 'Midwest' region by the Census Bureau. It is composed of the same geographic entities. 5 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 6 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. 7 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. 1998 from- percent change from- CPI-W December 1997 July Aug. 1998 1998 Aug. July May to June to July to 1997 1998 June July Aug. Expenditure category All items ................................... 100.000 159.8 160.0 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items (1967=100) ........................ - 476.0 476.5 - - - - - Food and beverages ......................... 17.903 160.2 160.7 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.2 Food ...................................... 16.861 159.8 160.4 2.1 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.3 Food at home ............................. 10.785 159.7 160.4 1.8 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.3 Cereals and bakery products ............. 1.678 181.6 182.5 2.4 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.5 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 3.125 146.6 147.9 -0.6 0.9 0.1 0.5 0.3 Dairy and related products (1)........... 1.135 147.8 150.1 5.0 1.6 -0.1 0.1 1.6 Fruits and vegetables ................... 1.447 197.3 194.9 4.3 -1.2 -1.2 0.5 -0.6 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 1.215 131.2 130.7 -3.3 -0.4 0.4 0.2 -0.7 Other food at home ...................... 2.185 150.5 151.5 2.4 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.7 Sugar and sweets ....................... .420 149.9 150.3 1.7 0.3 0.9 -0.6 0.7 Fats and oils .......................... .332 147.3 149.3 5.7 1.4 1.4 2.5 1.9 Other foods ............................ 1.432 165.9 166.8 3.2 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... .344 102.8 103.5 - 0.7 1.0 0.3 0.7 Food away from home (1)................... 6.076 161.1 161.4 2.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ .212 101.5 102.2 - 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.7 Alcoholic beverages ....................... 1.042 164.5 164.6 1.3 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.0 Housing .................................... 36.450 157.6 157.7 2.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 Shelter ................................... 27.033 177.0 177.6 3.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 Rent of primary residence ................ 8.347 171.8 172.4 3.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 Lodging away from home (2)................ 1.346 111.9 112.8 - 0.8 -0.2 -1.1 0.5 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3)......................... 17.016 171.2 171.8 3.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. .324 99.4 99.4 - 0.0 -0.4 0.1 0.0 Fuels and utilities ....................... 5.053 131.5 130.6 -0.5 -0.7 -0.3 0.1 -0.5 Fuels .................................... 4.143 116.6 115.6 -2.1 -0.9 -0.4 0.0 -0.6 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ .229 88.2 87.0 -6.7 -1.4 -1.0 -0.3 -0.8 Gas (piped) and electricity ............. 3.914 124.6 123.6 -2.1 -0.8 -0.4 0.1 -0.7 Household furnishings and operations ...... 4.365 125.6 125.2 1.2 -0.3 0.0 0.4 -0.2 Apparel .................................... 5.300 128.2 129.9 0.4 1.3 0.3 -0.4 0.9 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 1.503 129.1 129.9 0.9 0.6 0.2 0.2 -0.1 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 1.985 118.6 121.3 1.4 2.3 0.5 -1.0 1.9 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... .337 122.7 125.0 -2.6 1.9 -1.6 -2.2 1.9 Footwear .................................. 1.082 127.4 128.4 0.9 0.8 1.5 -0.2 0.9 Transportation ............................. 19.847 140.8 140.2 -2.2 -0.4 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 Private transportation .................... 18.790 138.2 137.6 -2.5 -0.4 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 9.285 100.2 100.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.2 New vehicles ............................ 5.304 143.9 144.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 0.4 0.3 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 3.162 152.7 152.4 1.7 -0.2 0.7 0.3 -0.2 Motor fuel ............................... 3.682 93.9 91.7 -14.9 -2.3 -0.9 -0.2 -1.6 Gasoline (all types) .................... 3.658 93.4 91.2 -15.2 -2.4 -0.9 -0.2 -1.6 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ .694 100.5 100.5 -0.5 0.0 0.6 0.1 -0.1 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 1.664 168.0 168.4 2.6 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.2 Public transportation ..................... 1.057 188.7 188.9 4.0 0.1 -0.8 0.9 1.8 Medical care ............................... 4.591 242.1 242.8 3.5 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.3 Medical care commodities .................. .906 219.1 219.9 3.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.5 Medical care services ..................... 3.684 247.2 248.0 3.5 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.3 Professional services .................... 2.372 224.4 224.8 3.3 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 Hospital and related services ............ 1.097 284.3 285.6 3.8 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.4 Recreation (2).............................. 5.969 100.9 101.1 1.0 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.2 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 1.968 101.0 101.1 1.1 0.1 0.0 -0.1 0.1 Education and communication (2)............. 5.396 100.2 100.3 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.1 -0.5 Education (2).............................. 2.402 101.1 102.6 5.1 1.5 0.3 0.3 0.3 Educational books and supplies ........... .192 251.3 251.3 3.9 0.0 -0.1 0.4 -0.4 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 2.211 285.3 289.9 5.2 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 Communication (1) (2)...................... 2.994 99.6 98.4 -1.3 -1.2 0.1 -0.2 -1.2 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 2.841 99.5 98.3 -1.4 -1.2 0.1 -0.3 -1.2 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 2.547 101.5 100.5 - -1.0 0.2 0.1 -1.0 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (4) .294 40.2 38.9 -21.1 -3.2 -1.9 -3.8 -3.2 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... .191 74.4 71.2 - -4.3 -2.9 -6.4 -4.3 Other goods and services ................... 4.544 236.0 236.2 6.3 0.1 -0.1 0.9 0.2 Tobacco and smoking products .............. 1.300 273.4 273.7 12.6 0.1 -0.6 2.7 0.3 Personal care (1).......................... 3.244 157.0 157.2 3.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Personal care products (1)................ .832 150.1 149.6 3.6 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.3 Personal care services (1)................ .964 166.4 167.0 2.6 0.4 -0.1 0.5 0.4 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 1.226 233.9 234.9 3.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.5 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 47.234 141.5 141.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 Food and beverages ......................... 17.903 160.2 160.7 2.0 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.2 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 29.331 130.3 130.0 -1.2 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 15.928 131.4 131.3 -1.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.4 -0.5 Apparel .................................. 5.300 128.2 129.9 0.4 1.3 0.3 -0.4 0.9 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 10.628 137.7 136.6 -3.0 -0.8 -0.2 0.1 -0.4 Durables .................................. 13.403 127.3 127.0 -0.3 -0.2 0.0 0.5 -0.1 Services .................................... 52.766 181.6 181.9 2.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Rent of shelter (3)......................... 26.708 170.4 171.0 3.1 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 Transportation services .................... 6.824 185.2 185.1 1.6 -0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.2 Other services ............................. 10.006 213.7 214.3 3.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 83.139 159.7 159.8 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 All items less shelter ...................... 72.967 155.0 155.1 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 All items less medical care ................. 95.409 156.0 156.1 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 Commodities less food ....................... 30.373 131.6 131.4 -1.1 -0.2 -0.1 0.2 -0.1 Nondurables less food ....................... 16.970 133.4 133.3 -1.7 -0.1 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 11.670 139.3 138.3 -2.5 -0.7 -0.3 0.2 -0.2 Nondurables ................................. 33.831 146.1 146.3 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.3 0.0 Services less rent of shelter (3)............ 26.057 171.5 171.5 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 Services less medical care services ......... 49.082 176.0 176.3 2.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Energy ...................................... 7.825 104.5 102.9 -8.3 -1.5 -0.6 -0.1 -1.1 All items less energy ....................... 92.175 167.4 167.8 2.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 All items less food and energy ............. 75.315 169.4 169.8 2.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 26.463 142.0 142.2 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 Energy commodities ....................... 3.910 93.7 91.5 -14.2 -2.3 -0.8 -0.2 -1.6 Services less energy services ............. 48.852 187.9 188.4 3.0 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1982-84=$1.00).......................... - $ .626 $ .625 - - - - - Purchasing power of the consumer dollar (1967=$1.00) ............................ - $ .210 $ .210 - - - - - 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base 4 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. 1998 1998 1998 1998 Nov. Feb. May Aug. Feb. Aug. 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 Expenditure category All items ................................... 159.5 159.6 159.9 160.0 1.8 0.3 2.0 1.3 1.0 1.6 Food and beverages ......................... 160.1 160.2 160.7 161.1 1.8 1.3 2.3 2.5 1.5 2.4 Food ...................................... 159.7 159.8 160.3 160.8 2.0 1.0 2.5 2.8 1.5 2.7 Food at home ............................. 159.7 159.8 160.3 160.8 1.3 0.3 2.5 2.8 0.8 2.7 Cereals and bakery products ............. 180.3 180.8 181.0 181.9 2.0 1.4 2.7 3.6 1.7 3.2 Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......... 146.5 146.6 147.3 147.8 -1.9 -3.7 -0.8 3.6 -2.8 1.4 Dairy and related products (1)........... 147.8 147.7 147.8 150.1 11.1 1.6 1.1 6.4 6.2 3.7 Fruits and vegetables ................... 203.0 200.5 201.6 200.4 2.1 7.1 18.9 -5.0 4.6 6.3 Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials ........................... 131.2 131.7 131.9 131.0 -4.1 -3.5 -4.7 -0.6 -3.8 -2.7 Other food at home ...................... 148.6 149.7 150.4 151.5 -0.3 1.1 1.1 8.0 0.4 4.5 Sugar and sweets ....................... 148.9 150.2 149.3 150.3 1.9 1.9 -0.8 3.8 1.9 1.5 Fats and oils .......................... 141.1 143.1 146.7 149.5 -0.8 -0.8 0.9 26.0 -0.8 12.7 Other foods ............................ 164.5 165.3 165.9 166.6 2.2 3.7 1.7 5.2 3.0 3.4 Other miscellaneous foods (1) (2)...... 101.5 102.5 102.8 103.5 - - 4.0 8.1 - 6.1 Food away from home (1)................... 160.6 160.8 161.1 161.4 3.1 2.5 2.5 2.0 2.8 2.3 Other food away from home (1) (2)........ 100.6 101.0 101.5 102.2 - - 1.2 6.5 - 3.8 Alcoholic beverages ....................... 163.6 164.1 164.7 164.7 1.2 1.5 -0.5 2.7 1.4 1.1 Housing .................................... 156.3 156.5 156.8 156.9 3.4 0.5 3.4 1.5 2.0 2.5 Shelter ................................... 176.0 176.4 176.8 177.2 2.8 3.5 3.7 2.8 3.2 3.2 Rent of primary residence ................ 171.0 171.5 172.0 172.4 3.2 2.6 3.8 3.3 2.9 3.6 Lodging away from home (2)................ 102.1 101.9 100.8 101.3 - - 8.2 -3.1 - 2.4 Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence (3)......................... 170.6 170.9 171.4 171.8 2.7 3.6 3.6 2.8 3.1 3.2 Tenants' and household insurance (1) (2).. 99.7 99.3 99.4 99.4 - - -2.0 -1.2 - -1.6 Fuels and utilities ....................... 128.4 128.0 128.1 127.4 6.6 -12.2 2.5 -3.1 -3.2 -0.3 Fuels .................................... 112.8 112.4 112.4 111.7 10.1 -18.0 2.5 -3.8 -5.0 -0.7 Fuel oil and other fuels ................ 92.0 91.1 90.8 90.1 -0.4 -17.4 0.9 -8.0 -9.3 -3.7 Gas (piped) and electricity ............. 120.5 120.0 120.1 119.3 11.6 -18.3 2.7 -3.9 -4.5 -0.7 Household furnishings and operations ...... 125.0 125.0 125.5 125.2 0.6 2.6 1.0 0.6 1.6 0.8 Apparel .................................... 131.1 131.5 131.0 132.2 0.6 -2.7 0.0 3.4 -1.1 1.7 Men's and boys' apparel ................... 131.1 131.4 131.6 131.5 0.9 1.2 0.0 1.2 1.1 0.6 Women's and girls' apparel ................ 124.0 124.6 123.4 125.7 1.6 -4.4 2.0 5.6 -1.4 3.8 Infants' and toddlers' apparel (1)......... 127.4 125.4 122.7 125.0 -4.0 -12.0 14.7 -7.3 -8.1 3.1 Footwear .................................. 127.1 129.0 128.8 130.0 2.2 -4.8 -2.8 9.4 -1.4 3.1 Transportation ............................. 140.6 140.4 140.7 140.5 -1.7 -4.7 -2.0 -0.3 -3.2 -1.1 Private transportation .................... 138.1 138.0 138.2 137.8 -2.0 -5.6 -1.7 -0.9 -3.8 -1.3 New and used motor vehicles (2)........... 100.3 100.3 100.7 100.9 - - 0.8 2.4 - 1.6 New vehicles ............................ 144.4 144.0 144.6 145.1 -1.6 -0.8 -0.6 2.0 -1.2 0.7 Used cars and trucks (1)................. 151.3 152.3 152.7 152.4 -1.9 1.9 3.8 2.9 0.0 3.4 Motor fuel ............................... 93.2 92.4 92.2 90.7 -6.2 -28.4 -12.6 -10.3 -18.1 -11.5 Gasoline (all types) .................... 92.5 91.7 91.5 90.0 -5.9 -29.0 -13.8 -10.4 -18.3 -12.1 Motor vehicle parts and equipment ........ 100.0 100.6 100.7 100.6 -1.6 -0.4 -2.4 2.4 -1.0 0.0 Motor vehicle maintenance and repair ..... 167.0 167.7 168.1 168.5 1.7 3.7 1.2 3.6 2.7 2.4 Public transportation ..................... 187.0 185.5 187.2 190.6 1.8 9.0 -2.3 7.9 5.3 2.7 Medical care ............................... 240.5 241.6 242.1 242.9 2.8 3.1 4.1 4.1 2.9 4.1 Medical care commodities .................. 218.1 218.5 218.7 219.9 2.3 2.3 6.1 3.3 2.3 4.7 Medical care services ..................... 245.4 246.6 247.2 248.0 2.9 3.4 3.7 4.3 3.1 4.0 Professional services .................... 222.7 223.9 224.1 224.6 2.6 3.3 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.5 Hospital and related services ............ 282.0 282.8 284.5 285.6 3.5 3.8 2.4 5.2 3.7 3.8 Recreation (2).............................. 100.8 100.9 100.8 101.0 - - 0.8 0.8 - 0.8 Video and audio (1) (2).................... 101.1 101.1 101.0 101.1 1.2 3.6 -0.4 0.0 2.4 -0.2 Education and communication (2)............. 100.9 101.0 101.1 100.6 - - 4.1 -1.2 - 1.4 Education (2).............................. 102.3 102.6 102.9 103.2 - - 6.5 3.6 - 5.0 Educational books and supplies ........... 252.6 252.4 253.3 252.3 3.7 3.8 8.7 -0.5 3.7 4.0 Tuition, other school fees, and childcare 287.5 288.5 289.4 290.5 5.3 4.8 6.2 4.2 5.1 5.2 Communication (1) (2)...................... 99.7 99.8 99.6 98.4 1.6 -3.2 1.6 -5.1 -0.8 -1.8 Information and information processing (1) (2)................................... 99.7 99.8 99.5 98.3 1.6 -3.2 1.6 -5.5 -0.8 -2.0 Telephone services (1) (2)............... 101.2 101.4 101.5 100.5 - - 4.9 -2.7 - 1.0 Information and information processing other than telephone services (1) (4) 42.6 41.8 40.2 38.9 0.0 -25.5 -25.2 -30.5 -13.7 -27.9 Personal computers and peripheral equipment (1) (2)................... 81.9 79.5 74.4 71.2 - - -34.7 -42.9 - -38.9 Other goods and services ................... 234.6 234.3 236.3 236.7 6.6 8.2 6.6 3.6 7.4 5.1 Tobacco and smoking products .............. 268.3 266.6 273.7 274.5 10.8 19.2 11.5 9.6 14.9 10.5 Personal care (1).......................... 156.7 156.8 157.0 157.2 5.1 1.8 4.5 1.3 3.4 2.9 Personal care products (1)................ 150.5 150.3 150.1 149.6 7.7 1.4 8.1 -2.4 4.5 2.7 Personal care services (1)................ 165.7 165.6 166.4 167.0 2.2 2.0 3.0 3.2 2.1 3.1 Miscellaneous personal services .......... 232.3 233.1 233.7 234.9 3.0 3.2 3.0 4.6 3.1 3.8 Commodity and service group Commodities ................................. 141.6 141.6 141.9 142.0 0.6 -1.4 0.0 1.1 -0.4 0.6 Food and beverages ......................... 160.1 160.2 160.7 161.1 1.8 1.3 2.3 2.5 1.5 2.4 Commodities less food and beverages ........ 130.6 130.5 130.7 130.6 -0.3 -3.3 -0.9 0.0 -1.8 -0.5 Nondurables less food and beverages ....... 132.2 131.9 132.4 131.8 0.6 -5.8 -1.2 -1.2 -2.7 -1.2 Apparel .................................. 131.1 131.5 131.0 132.2 0.6 -2.7 0.0 3.4 -1.1 1.7 Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .............................. 137.2 136.9 137.1 136.5 -0.3 -8.5 -0.9 -2.0 -4.5 -1.4 Durables .................................. 127.0 127.0 127.6 127.5 -1.9 0.3 -1.2 1.6 -0.8 0.2 Services .................................... 180.6 180.9 181.2 181.5 3.2 1.6 3.4 2.0 2.4 2.7 Rent of shelter (3)......................... 169.3 169.8 170.1 170.5 2.9 3.2 3.4 2.9 3.0 3.1 Transportation services .................... 185.5 185.3 185.6 186.0 0.9 3.8 0.6 1.1 2.3 0.9 Other services ............................. 213.6 214.2 214.5 214.6 2.9 3.3 4.6 1.9 3.1 3.2 Special indexes All items less food ......................... 159.1 159.2 159.5 159.6 2.0 -0.3 2.0 1.3 0.9 1.6 All items less shelter ...................... 154.9 154.9 155.2 155.3 1.8 -1.0 1.3 1.0 0.4 1.2 All items less medical care ................. 155.6 155.7 156.0 156.1 2.1 0.0 1.8 1.3 1.0 1.6 Commodities less food ....................... 132.1 132.0 132.2 132.1 0.0 -3.3 -0.9 0.0 -1.6 -0.5 Nondurables less food ....................... 134.1 134.0 134.2 133.8 0.6 -5.7 -0.6 -0.9 -2.6 -0.7 Nondurables less food and apparel ........... 138.6 138.2 138.5 138.2 1.4 -8.4 -1.7 -1.1 -3.6 -1.4 Nondurables ................................. 146.4 146.3 146.7 146.7 0.8 -2.4 1.4 0.8 -0.8 1.1 Services less rent of shelter (3)............ 170.7 170.8 171.1 171.2 3.4 -0.7 4.1 1.2 1.3 2.6 Services less medical care services ......... 175.0 175.4 175.7 176.0 3.3 0.9 3.7 2.3 2.1 3.0 Energy ...................................... 102.5 101.9 101.8 100.7 2.2 -23.0 -4.9 -6.8 -11.3 -5.9 All items less energy ....................... 167.4 167.6 168.0 168.3 2.0 2.2 2.7 2.2 2.1 2.4 All items less food and energy ............. 169.5 169.7 170.1 170.4 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.1 2.3 2.4 Commodities less food and energy commodities ........................... 142.7 142.7 143.0 143.2 0.8 1.1 0.8 1.4 1.0 1.1 Energy commodities ....................... 93.1 92.4 92.2 90.7 -5.6 -27.6 -12.3 -9.9 -17.3 -11.1 Services less energy services ............. 187.5 187.9 188.2 188.6 2.6 3.3 3.5 2.4 3.0 2.9 1 Not seasonally adjusted. 2 Indexes on a December 1997=100 base. 3 Indexes on a December 1984=100 base 4 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 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.1998 from-- July1998 from-- sched- ule May June July Aug. (1) 1998 1998 1998 1998 Aug. June July July May June 1997 1998 1998 1997 1998 1998 U.S. city average ........................... M 159.5 159.7 159.8 160.0 1.4 0.2 0.1 1.5 0.2 0.1 Region and area size(2) Northeast urban ............................. M 166.4 166.5 166.6 167.1 1.3 0.4 0.3 1.2 0.1 0.1 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 166.1 166.3 166.5 167.1 1.6 0.5 0.4 1.3 0.2 0.1 Size B/C 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3).......... M 101.5 101.5 101.5 101.7 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 Midwest urban (4)............................ M 155.6 155.7 155.9 155.6 1.3 -0.1 -0.2 1.8 0.2 0.1 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 155.9 156.2 156.5 156.4 1.8 0.1 -0.1 2.4 0.4 0.2 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 102.1 101.9 101.9 101.7 0.9 -0.2 -0.2 1.4 -0.2 0.0 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 151.3 151.3 151.7 151.4 0.3 0.1 -0.2 0.7 0.3 0.3 South urban ................................. M 156.7 157.1 157.2 157.5 1.3 0.3 0.2 1.2 0.3 0.1 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............. M 155.3 155.9 156.1 156.3 1.5 0.3 0.1 1.4 0.5 0.1 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)........ M 101.8 101.8 101.9 102.1 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.9 0.1 0.1 Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000) ............................... M 159.6 160.4 160.4 160.6 2.3 0.1 0.1 2.4 0.5 0.0 West urban .................................. M 160.3 160.3 160.3 160.7 1.7 0.2 0.2 1.7 0.0 0.0 Size A - More than 1,500,000 ............ M 159.4 159.3 159.3 159.7 2.0 0.3 0.3 2.0 -0.1 0.0 Size B/C - 50,000 to 1,500,000 (3)......... M 102.2 102.1 102.1 102.3 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.8 -0.1 0.0 Size classes A (5)...................................... M 145.8 146.0 146.2 146.4 1.7 0.3 0.1 1.8 0.3 0.1 B/C (3).................................... M 101.9 101.8 101.9 101.9 0.8 0.1 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.1 D ......................................... M 157.8 158.1 158.3 158.3 1.5 0.1 0.0 1.6 0.3 0.1 Selected local areas(6) Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI .............. M 159.9 160.2 160.6 159.6 1.9 -0.4 -0.6 2.9 0.4 0.2 Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA ..... M 156.2 156.1 155.9 156.1 1.4 0.0 0.1 1.4 -0.2 -0.1 New York-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA ............................. M 168.6 168.8 169.1 169.7 1.8 0.5 0.4 1.5 0.3 0.2 Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT ......... 1 168.9 - 168.8 - - - - 1.8 -0.1 - Cleveland-Akron, OH ......................... 1 151.2 - 152.1 - - - - 2.6 0.6 - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ....................... 1 152.8 - 154.0 - - - - - 0.8 - Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV (7)........ 1 101.3 - 102.5 - - - - 1.4 1.2 - Atlanta, GA ................................. 2 - 159.3 - 159.1 - -0.1 - - - - Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI ................. 2 - 154.0 - 155.1 2.3 0.7 - - - - Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .............. 2 - 145.1 - 146.1 0.8 0.7 - - - - Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ................... 2 - 157.6 - 158.0 - 0.3 - - - - Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE-MD ............................. 2 - 167.4 - 167.9 1.2 0.3 - - - - San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA .......... 2 - 161.7 - 162.7 2.9 0.6 - - - - Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA ................ 2 - 162.8 - 163.8 - 0.6 - - - - 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 The 'North Central' region has been renamed the 'Midwest' region by the Census Bureau. It is composed of the same geographic entities. 5 Indexes on a December 1986=100 base. 6 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. 7 Indexes on a November 1996=100 base. - Data not available. NOTE: Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.