September 20, 2007 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

CPI in August 2007

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined 0.1 percent in August, the first decline since a 0.4-percent decrease in October 2006.

[Chart data—TXT]

The index for energy declined for the third consecutive month, down 3.2 percent in August. The index for petroleum-based energy decreased 4.6 percent. The index for energy services fell 1.3 percent, resulting from a 4.2-percent decline in the index for natural gas.

The food index rose 0.4 percent in August. The index for food at home also rose 0.4 percent, reflecting another large increase in the index for dairy products. 

The index for all items less food and energy advanced 0.2 percent in August, the same as in July.

For the 12 months ended in August 2007, the CPI-U rose 2.0 percent, as shown in the chart.

These data are from the BLS Consumer Price Index program. To learn more, see "Consumer Price Index: August 2007" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 07-1400.