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FOR RELEASE:
April 15, 2009

WEST REGION CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) -
MARCH 2009

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the West increased a slight 0.1 percent in March 2009, following an increase of 0.5 percent in February. During the past 12 months, overall prices decreased 0.5 percent. Regional Commissioner Stanley W. Suchman noted this was the first over-the-year decrease for the CPI West Index since publication began in 1966. Additionally, the special aggregate index for energy decreased 0.8 percent for the month and fell 25.8 percent on an annual basis. Regional CPI area data are not seasonally adjusted.

Transportation prices decreased 0.2 percent in March and were 12.2 percent lower than a year ago. Gasoline prices decreased 0.7 percent for the month and declined 38.7 percent since March 2008. Prices for new and used motor vehicles were unchanged in the past month, yet declined 2.9 percent over the past 12 months.

The housing index, which comprises approximately 45 percent of the all items index, was up 0.1 percent in March and advanced 1.4 percent since last year. The index for shelter, the largest housing component, also inched up 0.1 percent for the month and was 1.5 percent higher than in March 2008. Prices for household fuels and utilities fell 0.2 percent in March, but increased 0.4 percent from a year ago. Electricity prices were up 0.8 percent for the month and advanced 5.0 percent over the year. Utility (piped) gas service costs decreased 3.4 percent since February 2009 and 13.0 percent since March 2008. Prices for household furnishings and operations increased 0.9 percent for the month and advanced 1.2 percent for the year.

The food and beverages index decreased 0.2 percent over the month, but increased 3.7 percent over the past 12 months. The food at home index, which measures grocery prices, was down 0.3 percent since February 2009 and the food away from home index edged down 0.1 percent. Over the year, prices for food at home and food away from home increased 3.8 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. Prices for alcoholic beverages changed little in March, but increased 3.3 percent over the year.

Medical care prices were up 0.1 percent for the month and increased 3.4 percent for the year. In March, prices for medical care commodities went up 0.2 percent and prices for medical care services inched up 0.1 percent. Over the latest 12-month period, prices for medical care commodities and medical care services advanced 1.1 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively.

The apparel index rose 2.0 percent in March 2009. Apparel prices typically rise in March with the introduction of spring-summer merchandise. The index advanced 0.5 percent over the past 12 months.

Among the remaining major expenditure categories, prices for education and communication crept down 0.1 percent, but prices for other goods and services moved up 1.9 percent in March. Over the past year, the index for education and communication was 3.6 percent higher and the index for other goods and services increased 5.0 percent. Recreation prices were 0.1 percent higher in March and advanced 1.3 percent over the past year.

The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the West stands at 217.357 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $217.36 in March 2009.

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