prices

CPI Increases 0.1% for October 2012 - Increasing Rent Drives Consumer Price Index

The October Consumer Price Index increased 0.1% from September. CPI measures inflation, or price increases. This month the culprit isn't gas prices, the gasoline index declined by -0.6% after July through September's meteoric 16.6% rise. The problem is the cost to rent a place to live increased 0.4% and had the highest monthly jump since June 2008.

CPI increased 0.6% for September 2012

The September Consumer Price Index increased 0.6% from August. The CPI measures inflation. This is the second month in a row for CPI to increase 0.6% and these jumps are the largest since June 2009. The reason again is gas with a 7.0% increase in the gasoline index for September and August's CPI jump was also caused by gas at the pump with a 9.0% increase in gasoline prices.

Consumer Price Index Increases 0.6% for August 2012

The August Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, increased 0.6% from July. This is the largest monthly increase since June 2009 and the reason for the jump is 80% gasoline prices. The CPI gasoline index increased a whopping 9.0% in a month. When removing food and energy inflation, of which gasoline is a part, core inflation increased 0.1% for August. Below is CPI's monthly percentage change.

 

 

CPI is up 1.7% from a year ago, shown in the below graph.

 

CPI Shows No Change for July 2012, Up 1.4% From A Year Ago

The July Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, was unchanged from June, the 2nd month in a row. The reason was electricity costs which dropped -1.3%. Gasoline increased 0.3% for July. Removing food and energy, inflation increased 0.1% for the month. Below is CPI's monthly percentage change.

 

ISM - Manufacturing Contracts for the 2nd Month in a Row - PMI 49.8% for July 2012

The July 2012 ISM Manufacturing Survey PMI increased, +0.1 percentage points, to 49.8%, but is still in contraction, the 2nd month in a row. Previously PMI showed 34 months of growth and this month's PMI shows June was not a fluke. In July 2009 the PMI registered 49%. Employment this month dropped -4.6 percentage points and new orders are still in contraction.

 

Consumer Price Index had No Change, Core CPI up 0.2% for June 2012

The June Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, was unchanged from May. The reason was gasoline prices, which dropped again, this time -2.0% from last month and up 1.7% for the year. Cheaper gas offset other increases. Below is the graph for CPI's monthly percentage change.

 

Retail Sales Decline, -0.5%, Quarterly Sales Decline -0.2%, Not Seen Since Q1 2009

June 2012 Retail Sales decreased, by -0.5%, and this month one cannot blame just falling gas prices. Autos & Parts alone dropped -0.6% while auto dealers, part of Autos & Parts, declined -0.7%. Minus autos & parts, retail sales also decreased, -0.4%. This is the 3rd month in a row retail sales have declined. June Retail sales are up 3.8% from the same time last year.

Retail Sales Decrease -0.2% for May 2012 on Falling Gas Prices

May 2012 Retail Sales decreased, by -0.2%, mainly due to dropping gas prices. Minus autos & parts, retail sales also decreased, -0.4%. April retail sales were revised down from 0.1% to -0.2%. May Retail sales are up 5.3% from the same time last year. Retail sales are reported by dollars, not by volume, so dropping prices often reports as a decline in sales.

 

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