The US Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.3 per cent for August 2021 on a seasonally adjusted basis.

America’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the all-items index rose 5.3 per cent before seasonal adjustment over the last year. The all-items less food and energy index climbed 0.1 per cent in August.

The index for household furnishings and operations rose 1.3 per cent while the shelter index increased by 0.2 per cent. The indices for new vehicles, medical care and recreation rose 1.2 per cent, 0.2 per cent, and 0.5 per cent, respectively in August.

The prices for personal care, communication and apparel all increased in August while the indices for airline fares, used cars and trucks and motor vehicle insurance fell 9.1 per cent, 1.5 per cent, and 2.8 per cent, respectively.

Food price increase drove up the index

The index for food rose 0.4 per cent in August, while the index for food at home increased 0.4 per cent. The non-alcoholic beverages index increased 1.0 per cent in August.

The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 0.7 per cent in August, as the beef index rose 1.7 per cent. The food away from home index rose 0.4 per cent while the index for other food at home increased by 0.6 per cent over the month.

The index for fruits and vegetables climbed 0.2 per cent in August. The index for dairy and related products fell 1.0 per cent, whereas the index for cereals and bakery products remained unchanged.

The index for energy rose 2.0 per cent in August. A 2.8 per cent increase was recorded in the gasoline index.

Meanwhile, the index for natural gas increased 1.6 per cent and the electricity index inched up by 1.0 per cent in August.