Global| Nov 17 2004Consumer Prices Strong
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
Summary
The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) jumped 0.6% last month, the strongest increase since May. The gain easily beat Consensus forecasts for a 0.4% rise. The 0.2% gain in prices less food and energy just beat the Consensus forecast for a [...]
The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) jumped 0.6% last month, the strongest increase since May. The gain easily beat Consensus forecasts for a 0.4% rise. The 0.2% gain in prices less food and energy just beat the Consensus forecast for a 0.1% rise.
Gasoline prices jumped 8.6% (26.6% y/y) last month but so far in November have not risen further. Fuel oil prices also were strong and surged 8.1% (35.0% y/y). Natural gas prices fell for the second month (+3.1% y/y).
"Core" commodities prices again rose and the 0.4% gain was driven by a 1.0% (0.8% y/y) rise in household furnishings & operation. New motor vehicle prices also increased for the first month in four, up 0.4% (-0.5% y/y) and apparel prices rose 0.2% (-0.7% y/y) .
The increase in services prices less energy eased a bit to 0.2% as the gain in shelter prices fell to just 0.1% (2.8% y/y). Health care services rose 0.4% (5.1% y/y) and tuition & child care costs rose 0.4% (6.8% y/y). Public transportation prices rose 1.4% (-2.3% y/y) after two months of decline.
The chained CPI, which adjusts for shifts in the mix of consumer purchases rose 0.5%. Similar to the PCE price deflator, core chain prices rose 0.4% for the second consecutive month.
"Labor Markets, Energy Prices, and the Outlook for 2005" from Michael H. Moskow, President & CEO
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago are available here.
| Consumer Price Index | Oct | Sept | Y/Y | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 0.6% | 0.2% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Total less Food & Energy | 0.2% | 0.3% | 2.0% | 1.5% | 2.3% | 2.7% |
| Goods less Food & Energy | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.1% | -2.0% | -1.1% | 0.3% |
| Services less Energy | 0.2% | 0.3% | 2.8% | 2.9% | 3.8% | 3.7% |
| Energy | 4.2% | -0.4% | 15.2% | 12.2% | -5.8% | 3.7% |
| Food | 0.6% | 0.0% | 3.5% | 2.1% | 1.8% | 3.1% |
| Chained CPI: Total (NSA) | 0.5% | 0.3% | 2.7% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 2.3% |
| Total less Food & Energy | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
Tom Moeller
AuthorMore in Author Profile »Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio. Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984. He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C. In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists. Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.
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