June 18, 2009 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Consumer prices in May 2009

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in May after being unchanged in April.

Percent change from 12 months ago, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, not seasonally adjusted, May 2000-May 2009
[Chart data—TXT]

The index for energy, which had declined the previous two months, rose 0.2 percent in May as an increase in the gasoline index more than offset declines in other energy indexes.

The food index decreased for the fourth consecutive month, falling 0.2 percent as the indexes for all major grocery store food groups declined.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in Mary following a 0.3-percent increase in April. The index for all items less food and energy has increased 1.8 percent over the last 12 months.

Over the last 12 months the CPI-U has fallen 1.3 percent, as shown in the chart. This is the largest decline since April 1950 and is due mainly to a 27.3 percent-decline in the energy index.

These data are from the BLS Consumer Price Index program. To learn more, see "Consumer Price Index: May 2009" (PDF) (HTML), news release USDL 09-0678.