Global| Aug 16 2005CPI Lifted By Strong Energy Prices
by:Tom Moeller
|in:Economy in Brief
Summary
Consumer prices (CPI-U) rose 0.5% last month following no change in June and a 0.1% decline in May. Consensus expectations had been for a 0.4% July increase. Energy prices jumped 3.8% led by a 6.1% (19.5% y/y) increase in gasoline [...]
Consumer prices (CPI-U) rose 0.5% last month following no change in June and a 0.1% decline in May. Consensus expectations had been for a 0.4% July increase.
Energy prices jumped 3.8% led by a 6.1% (19.5% y/y) increase in gasoline prices to an average $2.29 per gallon. In August gasoline prices have risen further to $2.55 per gallon. Fuel oil prices also posted a strong 6.2% (34.3% y/y increase while natural gas prices gained 1.1% (7.1% y/y) and have strengthened further this month..
Less food & energy prices rose 0.1% for the third consecutive month. Consensus expectations had been for a 0.2% increase.
Core goods prices, down 0.3%, fell for the third month in the last four led by a 1.0% (+0.3% y/y) decline in new vehicle prices. Appliance prices fell 0.5% (+2.0% y/y) and apparel prices tumbled 0.9% (-1.9% y/y), down hard for the third month in the last four.
Core services prices rose 0.3% as medical care services prices doubled the gain in June with a 0.4% (4.8% y/y) increase. Public transportation prices jumped 1.0% (5.5% y/y) and school tuition costs gained 0.6% (6.6% y/y). Shelter prices rose 0.3% (2.5% y/y).
The chained CPI which adjusts for shifts in the mix of consumer purchases rose 0.4% but less food & energy chain prices were unchanged.
| Consumer Price Index | July | June | Y/Y | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 0.5% | 0.0% | 3.1% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| Total less Food & Energy | 0.1% | 0.1% | 2.1% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 2.3% |
| Goods less Food & Energy | -0.3% | -0.2% | 0.4% | -0.9% | -2.0% | -1.1% |
| Services less Energy | 0.3% | 0.2% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.9% | 3.8% |
| Energy | 3.8% | -0.5% | 14.2% | 10.9% | 12.2% | -5.9% |
| Food | 0.2% | 0.1% | 2.2% | 3.4% | 2.1% | 1.8% |
| Chained CPI: Total (NSA) | 0.4% | -0.1% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 2.0% | 1.3% |
| Total less Food & Energy | 0.0% | -0.2% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 1.9% |
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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