The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.1% in May to 213.856, less than the expected increase of 0.3% after remaining unchanged in April and decreasing 0.1% in March.  Over the year the index is down by 1.3%, the largest 12 month decrease since 1950, where March of 2008 marks the first instance of a 12-month decline in the CPI since 1955, with fallen energy prices from their July 2008 record highs pulling down the price index.  The energy index increased by 0.2% after falling by 2.4% over the previous month, while down by 27.3% over the year. The food index fell by 0.2% over the month after falling 0.2% the previous month as well, and is up by 2.7% over the year. Excluding food and energy prices, which tend to be most volatile in terms of expenditure categories in a typical consumption bundle, the Core CPI is

The Consumer Price Index was unchanged (seasonally adjusted) in April at 212.671 (1982-84=100), as expected, after decreasing 0.1% in March, increasing by 0.4% in February and a 0.3% gain in January.   Over the year the index is down by 0.7%, where March (down 0.4% over the year) and April mark the first instances of a 12-month decline in the CPI since 1955, with fallen energy prices from their July 2008 highs pulling down the price index. The energy index decreased by 2.4% in April after falling 3% over the previous month, while down by 25.2% over the year. The food index fell by 0.6% over the month and is up by 3.3% over the year. Excluding food and energy prices, which tend to be most volatile in terms of expenditure categories in a typical consumption bundle, the Core CPI is up by 0.3% in April, while over

Initial Claims increased to 637,000 for the week ending 05/09, a jump of 32,000 above last week's level of 605,000 (originally reported at 601,000), from 635,000 for the week ending 04/25.  This exceeded expectations for the week of 604,000 filings, marking the 15th consecutive week filings surpassed 600,000.  The 4-week moving average was 630,500, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised average of 624,500.  The drop in unemployment filings last week were cited from layoffs in transportation and trade industries in New York and fewer layoffs in automobile industries in Michigan. 

The Producer Price Index increased by 0.3% in April to 169.9 (1982=100), expected to increase by 0.1%, following a 1.2% reduction in March and a 0.1% increase in February. Over the year, the index has decreased by 3.7%.  Wholesale prices fell largely due to fallen energy prices.  Excluding food and energy prices,

The Producer Price Index decreased by 1.2% in March to 168.9 (1982=100), following a 0.1% increase in February and by 0.8% in January which broke the 5 consecutive months of decline in the index. Expectations were that the PPI would decrease by 0.1%, generating a negative surprise. Over the year, the index has decreased by 3.5%.  Wholesale prices fell largely due to fallen energy prices.  Excluding food and energy prices, Core PPI was unchanged following a 0.2% increase last month.  Prices for energy goods are down 5.5% after rising by 1.3% in February, while the index for consumer foods fell by 0.7% after falling 1.6% last month.

Retail Sales fell by 1.1% in March to an annual pace of $344.4 billion, as consumers continue to hold back spending, much less than the expected 0.3% increase.  Over the past year, retail sales volume has decreased by 10.1%. 

The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.4% in February to 212.193(1982-84=100), expected a 0.3% gain, following a 0.3% gain in January which had been the first month since July that prices increased as fallen energy prices fueled deflation in the index's market bundle. The recent modest gains in the CPI have calmed deflationary fears.  Over the year the index is up 0.2% after being flat in January.  The energy index increased by 3.3% over the month although is down 18.5% over the year, the gasoline index up by 8.3% in February while fuel oil and natural gas declined.  The food index fell by 0.1% over the month and is up 4.8% over the year. Excluding food and energy prices, which tend to be more volatile components of consumption, the Core CPI is up by 0.2% in February, and over the past year, the Core CPI increased 1.8%.

The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3% in January to 211.143 (1982-84=100), as expected, following a 0.8% decline in December, originally reported as a 0.7% decline. Over the past year, the CPI has been flat.  This has been the first month since July that prices increased as fallen energy prices fueled deflation in the index's market bundle.  The Energy Index increased by 1.7% over the month, although decreased 20.4% over the year. The Food Index increased by 1.1% over the month and by 5.3% over the year. Excluding food and energy prices, the Core CPI is up by 0.2% in January, and over the past year, the Core CPI increased 1.7%. The price indices for all major expenditure categories advanced for the month. 

Recent HighlightsInitial Claims Unchanged at a high 627,000 (02/19)Producer Price Index up 0.8% (02/19)Leading Indicators Advanced by 0.4% (02/19)Industrial Production fell