CPI Latest DATA results, May 10, 2023

The BLS report was released this morning and it was a shade below consensus estimates. (historical releases)

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.4 percent in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.1 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 4.9 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter was the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase, followed by increases in the index for used cars and trucks and the index for gasoline. The increase in the gasoline index more than offset declines in other energy component indexes, and the energy index rose 0.6 percent in April. The food index was unchanged in April, as it was in March. The index for food at home fell 0.2 percent over the month while the index for food away from home rose 0.4 percent.

For the record, some rounding makes this appear much better. Last month's 5.0% was 4.98%, and this month's 4.9% is 4.93%.

The all items less food and energy index rose 5.5 percent over the last 12 months. (5.52%)

That compared to 5.6%, last month. (5.59%)

My own personal CPI...

Note that both CPI-W and Chained CPI edged up.

So once again, I should be happy with my index showing only 3.8%, but that is misleading. Remember, that COLA adjustment that came into effect in January, 2023? That made us whole back to 3rd quarter, 2021.

Any COLA for January, 2024, will most likely be in the >3.4% range. That 3.8% is operating at a loss.

As always, I keep track of my expenses, weighting, etc. Yours may be different.