FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
(816) 285-7000

FOR RELEASE:
August 14 2009

WEST REGION CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) -
JULY 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 decreased 0.2 percent in July 2009. Declines in the housing, apparel, and food and beverages indexes had the largest effect on the all items index - each accounting for approximately one-quarter of the movement in July. During the past 12 months, overall prices decreased 2.0 percent, the fifth consecutive month of over-the-year declines. Regional Commissioner Stanley W. Suchman noted the special aggregate index for energy decreased 0.6 percent for the month following a 9.9-percent increase for the previous month. On an annual basis, overall energy prices declined 26.9 percent. The special index for all items less food and energy edged down 0.1 percent over the past month, but increased 1.0 percent since July 2008. Regional CPI area data are not seasonally adjusted.

The housing index, which comprises approximately 45 percent of the all items index, inched down 0.1 percent in July, yet was unchanged from its July 2008 level. The index for shelter, the largest housing component, declined 0.2 percent for the month, but was 0.4 percent higher than in July 2008. Prices for household fuels and utilities increased 0.7 percent in July, but decreased 3.1 percent from a year ago. Electricity prices increased by 0.5 percent for the month and advanced 5.4 percent over the year. Utility (piped) gas service costs increased 0.3 percent since June 2009, but fell 27.9 percent since July 2008. Prices for household furnishings and operations declined 0.5 percent for the month, but inched up 0.2 percent for the year.

Apparel prices declined 1.7 percent in July. Prices for apparel typically decline in July as retailers continue to discount summer merchandise. Even so, apparel prices were 1.9 percent higher than one year ago.

The food and beverages index decreased 0.4 percent over the month, but edged up 0.1 percent over the past 12 months. The food at home index, which measures grocery prices, declined 1.0 percent since June 2009 and 2.5 percent from a year ago. Conversely, the food away from home index rose 0.3 percent for the month and 3.1 percent for the year. Prices for alcoholic beverages decreased 0.3 percent in July, but increased 2.1 percent over the year.

The recreation index was the only other major expenditure category to record a decline for July 2009. Prices decreased 0.5 percent for the month and 1.1 percent for the year.

Medical care prices rose 0.3 percent from one month ago and 4.1 percent for the year. In July, prices for medical care commodities were hardly changed and prices for medical care services increased 0.3 percent. Over the latest 12-month period, prices for medical care commodities and medical care services advanced 3.4 and 4.3 percent, respectively.

Transportation prices were unchanged in July and had little impact on the all items index, yet were 12.7 percent lower than a year ago. Gasoline prices decreased 1.4 percent for the month and 36.1 percent since July 2008. Prices for new and used motor vehicles were up 0.4 percent in the past month and were virtually unchanged over the past 12 months.

The two remaining major expenditure categories also had little impact on the overall July index with prices for education and communication advancing 0.2 percent and prices for other goods and services edging up 0.1 percent. Over the past year, the index for education and communication increased 2.7 percent and the index for other goods and services was 5.9 percent higher.

The All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the West stood at 219.484 (1982-84=100). This means a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $219.48 in July 2009.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.
Voice phone: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral phone number (Federal Relay Service): 1-800-877-8339.
_________________________________________________________________________________________