The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the April 2008 All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the West advanced 0.4 percent for the month. During the past 12 months the overall index increased 3.5 percent. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that higher prices for transportation and, to a lesser extent, food and beverages had the largest effect on the overall monthly increase. The special all items less food and energy index did not change in April, while the energy index increased 3.7 percent. On an annual basis these indexes rose 2.3 percent and 12.8 percent, respectively. Regional CPI area data are not seasonally adjusted.

The transportation index increased 1.5 percent for the month, following a 3.3 percent increase in March. For the year ending April, transportation prices increased 5.5 percent. Within this category, gasoline prices advanced 5.1 percent for the month and 15.7 percent for the year. New cars and trucks prices inched down 0.1 percent over the month and were 1.6 percent lower than in April 2007.

Food and beverages prices rose 0.8 percent in April 2008 and increased 4.7 percent for the past 12 months. In April, grocery prices, as measured by the food at home index, advanced 1.3 percent, following a 0.1 percent increase in March. The food away from home index did not change in April. Over the year, prices for groceries increased 5.8 percent and prices for food away from home increased 3.3 percent. Prices for alcoholic beverages advanced 0.8 percent in April and 4.5 percent since a year ago.

The housing index did not change for the month, but rose 2.8 percent since April 2007. The index for shelter, the largest housing component, also remained the same over the month, yet was 2.9 percent higher for the year. From March to April, prices for electricity decreased 0.3 percent, but prices for utility (piped) gas service rose 4.9 percent. For the year, electricity prices increased 4.1 percent and utility (piped) gas service prices jumped 9.8 percent. Prices for household furnishings and operations declined 0.4 percent for the month and were 0.8 percent lower than in April 2007.

Out-of-pocket medical care prices decreased 0.3 percent for the month, but advanced 4.4 percent for the year. In April, prices for medical care services inched down 0.1 percent and prices for medical care commodities decreased 1.0 percent. Over the latest 12-month period, prices for medical care services advanced 4.7 percent and prices for medical care commodities advanced 3.2 percent.

Among the remaining major expenditure categories, apparel prices edged down 0.1 percent in April, but increased 0.9 percent over the past 12 months. The recreation index advanced 0.2 percent for the month and 0.3 for the year. Prices for education and communication increased 0.3 percent over the month and prices for other goods and services increased 0.4 percent. Over the past year, prices for education and communication were 3.1 percent higher and prices for other goods and services were 3.8 percent higher.

The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the West stands at 219.437 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $219.44 in April 2008.

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