the consumer price index

Transcription

1 the consumer price index U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR J. D. Hodgson, Secretary BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS Geoffrey H. Moore, Commissioner a monthly report on consumer price movements including statistical tables and technical notes. OFFICE OF PRICES AND LIVING CONDITIONS Joel Popkin, Assistant Commissioner

2 The Consumer Price Index The Consumer Price Index rose percent in April to 124 percent of its 1967 base. The increase was primarily due to higher prices for men's clothing, used cars, restaurant meals, and most household services, the effects of which were moderated by lower prices for food purchased in grocery stores and gasoline, and a decline in mortgage interest rates. The April index was 3 percent higher than it was a year ago. After seasonal adjustment, the April increase was also percent. Since the wage-price-rent freeze ended in November, the CPI has risen at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3 percent. This compares with a 4 percent annual rate of advance in the 6 months preceding the freeze. In the first 8 months of the Economic Stabilization program, which includes the August November period when most prices were frozen, the CPI rose at an annual rate of 2 percent. Food The April food price index, which includes both grocery store food and restaurant meals, decreased percent after seasonal adjustment. This decline follows no change in March and an increase of 1 percent in February. The index of food purchased in grocery stores, which usually shows no change in April, declined percent. Lower prices for meats, poultry, eggs, and fresh vegetables accounted for the decrease. Beef and veal prices which usually increase slightly in April, declined for the first time since November. Pork prices fell substantially for the second consecutive month. Poultry prices declined for the first time this year. These price declines Table A. Percent changes in CPI and components, selected periods Month All Unadj. terns Seas, adj. Changes from preceding montrl Unadj. Food Seas, adj. Commodities Unadj. less food Seas, adj. Serv- «ices Unadj. Changes in all items at seasonally adjusted compound annual rates From 3 mos. ago From 6 mos. ago From 12 mos. ago Apr May June July Auq Sept Oct Nov... Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr NOTE: In accordance with longstanding policy, seasonal adjustment factors have been recalculated to reflect developments during the preceding 12 months. For this reason, some of the seasonally adjusted figures shown above differ from those previously reported. New factors are introduced annually in April. Those to be used through March 1973 can be found on page 2 of this report.

3 reflected lower wholesale prices and increased production of 9 percent for beef, 11 percent for veal, 22 percent for pork, and 9 percent for poultry from February to March. Fresh vegetable prices declined contraseasonally in April, as they did in March. Large supplies, especially of asparagus, celery, carrots, and cabbage accounted for the April decline. Fresh fruit prices, however, advanced sharply due to declines in banana imports and also because strawberries were priced for the first time this season. Processed fruits and vegetable prices increased percent for the fifth consecutive month. Prices have moved up since November for most items, particularly fruit cocktail, canned beets, dried beans, and pineapplegrapefruit juice. The increase of percent this April, however, was considerably smaller than the advance in April of last year. The difference was partly because prices of frozen orange juice held steady in contrast to a sharp advance a year ago in response to short supplies. Prices rose for cereal and bakery products and dairy products, but the increases were smaller than in February or March. Bread prices were higher, but prices declined for flour and corn flakes. The decline in corn flake prices reflected large supplies of corn. Among dairy products, cheese prices rose sharply as wholesale prices have advanced in response to record levels of consumer demand. On the other hand, ice cream and butter prices decreased as milk production continued to rise. After rising sharply in March, egg prices declined in April due to decreased demand following the Easter holidays and a slight increase in production. The index for food away from home restaurant meals and snacks increased percent in April, the largest increase since last August and more than usual for this time of the year. The increase was attributed mostly to the spurt in wholesale food prices which occurred earlier this year. Commodities less food The index for commodities less food increased percent, somewhat more than usual for this time of the year. The seasonally adjusted increase of percent was about the same as the monthly increases since December. The price rise in apparel commodities, which had accounted for about 4 percent of the March rise in the nonfood commodities index, was responsible for about a third of the April rise in this index. The index for apparel commodities rose percent in April instead of the usual percent primarily due to a sharper-than-usual increase in men's clothing, particularly year-round and tropical weight suits, wool slacks, and shirts. In March, men's clothing prices increased seasonally after declining from November to February as they usually do. Women's apparel prices declined in April, slightly more than usual, after advancing sharply in February and March. Footwear prices continued to increase at a faster pace than usual for this time of the year. A mostly seasonal upturn in used car prices contributed about 4 percent to the April increase in the commodities index. The increase of 2 percent in used car prices followed a small rise in March and an almost steady decline from June 1971 through February of this year. Instead of moving down seasonally, new car prices held steady in April as concessions offered by dealers remained at their March levels. Prices rose in April for most housefurnishings. The increase in textile housefurnishings reflected the end of white sales (in quarterly cities). Prices of most durable housefurnishings also increased, particularly lawnmowers, which were priced for the first time this season, and dinnerware and flatware. The increase at retail for lawnmowers was substantially higher than the wholesale increase since August Imported Japanese dinnerware prices continued to move higher and some domestic prices followed the upward trend. Prices of floor coverings continued to move up. Price increases for furniture, however, were much smaller than in March. Although demand for furniture was up, some articles were being marketed at promotional prices. Many household appliances were on sale. Among other nonfood commodities, subscription rates for some magazines rose substantially, and prices increased for newspapers, alcoholic beverages, mostly for beer away from home, and toilet goods such as hand lotion and cleansing tissues. The rise in the index for nonfood commodities was moderated by a decline in gasoline prices. Despite price "restorations" in several cities, the national gasoline market was weak and severe price wars started in a number of cities. Services Charges for consumer services increased percent in April, slightly more than in February and March. Charges for electricity rose percent as rate increases were registered in several cities; tax changes and increased fuel costs also contributed to the rise. The residential property tax index rose percent, reflecting annual changes for several cities. Prices increased for all services connected with home maintenance. Higher wages caused increases for domestic services, laundry flatwork, and licensed day care service. The April mortgage interest rate index fell percent, the largest drop yet in 6 consecutive months of decline.

4 The index for medical care services rose percent, slightly less than the rise of percent in each of the previous 4 months. Dentists' fees advanced percent. Physicians' fees rose mainly as a result of increased charges for obstetrical care. Charges for hospital services rose percent largely because of the increase in rates for semiprivate rooms. Charges for transportation services increased percent in April, as the index for local-transit fares rose percent. Recreational service charges also rose as indoor movie admission prices increased 1 percent. Legal fees averaged 5 percent higher. Effect of items identified as exempt from post-freeze regulations About one-half of the percent increase in the April CPI was due to price changes for items identified as exempt from regulation under Phase II to the Economic Stabilization program. Mortgage interest rates and prices of raw agricultural products declined, while increases occurred in taxes and in the prices of used cars and houses. When the effects of the price changes for these items are removed, the increase in the April index was percent. This increase is less than those in the last 2 months and the same as the increase in January. Diffusion of individual price changes Approximately 12, individual prices were collected directly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in April for use in the index. Approximately 8 percent of these quotations represent monthly comparisons. As can be seen from table B, 74 percent of these monthly comparisons remained unchanged, 12 percent decreased, and Table B. Percent distribution of monthly price comparisons 1 Groups September to October October to November November to December December to January January to February February to March March to April All items Increases Decreases No change Food at home Increases Decreases No change Commodities less food Increases Decreases.. No change Services Increases Decreases No change All items excluding raw agricultural products Increases Decreases No change Regulations of the Economic Stabilization program permit certain types of increases but it is not possible to determine whether allowable increases accounted for all increases shown in the above table. 2 Based on approximately 98, individual price quotations.

5 14 percent increased between March and April. The pro- The April index also includes more than 23, price portion of commodity prices both food and non- comparisons to April from periods before March. About food which remained unchanged in April was about the 18, of these cover the quarterly span from January same as in the previous month. However, a higher per- to April. About 15 percent of these prices increased, centage of commodity prices declined and a smaller per- about the same as in last month's index. In addition, centage increased than in the previous month. For about 5, rental units were surveyed in April, and services, the proportion of prices remaining unchanged about 17 percent of these reported rent increases since declined and the proportion of services prices de- October. Three percent of the 5, reported increases creasing was considerably larger than in March. between March and April.

6 RLL ITEMS INDEX RNO ITS RflTE OF CHRNGE ( 1967 = 1 ) no toe- CPI RLL ITEMS INDEX (NOT SEflSONflLLY ROJUSTED) flpr PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN (SEASONALLY flojusted) jv flpr. - PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN (flnnufll RATE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) PERCENT CHANGE OVER 6-MONTH SPAN (ANNUAL RflTE. SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) ir PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/ jl/ Computed from the unadjusted series. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

7 TOTRL FOOD INOEX RNO ITS RflTE OF ( 1967 = 1 ) CPI TOTRL FOOD INOEX (SEASONALLY flojusted) CHflNGE RPR RAH* 12 PERCENT CHAN6E OVER 1-fiONTH SPAN (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-hONTH SPflN (flnnufll RflTE. SEflSONflLLY flojusteo) PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN (flnnufll RflTE, SEflSONflLLY flojusteo) w PERCENT CHflKGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/ flpr 3 A \ \J Computed from the unadjusted series. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

8 KB 1 - COMMODITIES LESS FOOO *- INDEX RNO ITS RflTE OF CHflNGE ( 1967 = 1 ) CPI COMMODITIES LESS FOOD INDEX (SERSONflLLY flojusted) PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 1-MONTH SPflN (SERSONflLLY flojusteo) PERCENT CHflNSE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN (RNNURL RflTE. SERSONflLLY flojusteo) flpr mat RPR 2 r PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN (flnnufll RflTE. SEflSONflUY flojusteo) PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN 1/ flpr / Computed from the unadjusted series. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

9 SERVICES INOEX flno ITS RflTE OF CHflNGE ( 1967 = 1 ) I SERVICES INOEX (NOT SEASONALLY flojusteo) PERCENT CHflNGE OVER l-month SPflN (NOT SEflSONflLLY flojusteo) PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 3-MONTH SPflN (flnnufll RflTE* NOT SEflSONflLLY flojusteo) PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 6-MONTH SPflN (flnnufll RflTE. NOT SEflSONflLLY flojusteo). RPR 132 flpr 2 Kitt; I flpr 3 fflffll: PERCENT CHflNGE OVER 12-MONTH SPflN / Computed from the unadjusted series. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS 8

10 Table 1. Consumer Price Index United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, by commodity and service groups, and expenditure classes Groups Relative importance December Unadjusted indexes unless otherwise noted April 1972 March 1972 Unadjusted percent change to from-- March 1972 todity and i April 1971 Seasonally adjusted percent change from previous month March - February- I January - April March February I All items - All items ( =1) Commodities Food- Food at home Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetable Other foods at home- Food away from home Commodities less food Nondurables less food Apparel commodities If Men's and boys' Women's and girls' Footwear' Nondurables less food and apparel Gasoline and motor oil Tobacco products Alcoholic beverages Fuel oil and coal Other nondurables * * - * * - 1 * * Durables commodities Household durables New cars Used cars- Other durables * * * Services Rent Services less rent Household services less rent- Transportation services Medical care services Other services * * * * * * - - * * * - Special indexes: All items less food Nondurable commodities Apparel commodities less footwear- Services less medical care services Insurance and finance- Utilities and public transportation Housekeeping and home maintenance services ' 5 7. * * 1 * Expenditure classes All ite 124 Food Housing Shelter _2/- Rent Homeownership 3/ Fuel and utilities _4/ Gas and electricity Household furnishings and operation * * * * * * Apparel and upkeep * Transportation- Private Public- Health and recreation- Medical care Personal care Reading and recreation- Other goods and services * - 1 * * Special indexes; All items less shelter All items less medical care All items less mortgage interest costs * * * Purchasing power of consumer dollar; 196 7»$ $!. $,85 92 $,86 93 XI Also includes infants* wear, sewing materials, and jewelry not shown separately. If Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately. 3) Includes home purchase, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, and maintenance and repairs. kl Also includes residential telephone, fuel oil, coal, water, and sewerage service not shown separately. * Not seasonally adjusted. NOTE; Index applies to month as a whole, not to any specific date.

11 Table 2. Consumer Price Index The United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, all itei most recent index and percent changes from selected dates Are. 1/ Pricing Schedule 2/ Other bases Percent change fra April 1972 March 1972 January 1972 April 1971 U.S. City Average Chicago Detroit - Los Angeles-Long Beach N.Y.-Northeastern N.J. Philadelphia April 1972 January 1972 April 1971 Boston Houston Minneapolis-St. Paul Pittsburgh February 1972 November 1971 February 1971 Buffalo Cleveland Dallas Milwaukee -- San Diego Seattle Washington / 137 3/ 133 4/ December 1971 March 1971 Atlanta Baltimore Cincinnati Honolulu Kansas City St. Louis San Francisco-Oakland / U Area coverage includes the urban portion of the corresponding Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) except for New York and Chicago where the more extensive Standard Consolidated Areas are used. Area definitions are those established for the 196 Census and do not include revisions made since I96. 2) Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all cities; most other goods and services priced as indicated: M - Every month. 1 - January, April, July, and October. 2 - February, May, August, and November. 3 - March, June, September, and December. 3/ November 1963=1. 4V February / December NOTE: The Consumer Price Index cannot be used for measuring differences in living costs among areas; it indicates price change within areas. Estimates of differences in living costs among areas are found in the family budgets. 1

12 Table 3. Consumer Price Index United Stat :s city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers for selected groups, seasonally adjusted (1967=1) Group April 1972 Indexes March January 1972 Percent change to April 1972 from: 1 month 3 months ago ago Food at home Cereal and bakery products Fruits and vegetables Fuel and utilities 1/ Fuel oil and coal Apparel and upkeep 2/ Men's and boys' Women's and girls' Nondurables Nondurables less food Apparel commodities Durables g 1 1/ Also includes telephone, water, and sewerage service not shown separately. If Also includes infants' wear, sewing materials, jewelry, and apparel upkeep services not shown separately. Table 4. Consumer Price Index United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers for selected groups seasonally adjusted Group April 1972 January 1972 Percent change to April 1972 from; January 1972 Food- Food at home- Cereal and bakery products- Meat, poultry and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other food at home Fuel and utilities Fuel oil and coal Apparel and upkeep Men's and boys' Women's and girls'- Footwear Transportation- Private New cars Commodities Commodities less food Nondurables- Nondurables less food- Apparel commodities Durables

13 Table 5. Consumer Price Index--Unlted States and selected.areas 1/ for urban wage earners and clerical workers, commodity groups Group U.S. City Average Chicago Los Angeles- Long (Indexes 1967=1) Minn- eapolis- St. Paul N.Y.- Northeastern N.J. delphia burgh All items Food Food at home Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products Fruit8 and vegetables Other foods at home Food away from home Housing Kent Homeownership Fuel and utilities Fuel oil and coal Gas and electricity Household furnishings and operation / / / / Apparel and upkeep Men's and boys' Women's and girls' Footwear Transportation Private /118 8/ Health and recreation Medical care Personal care Reading and recreation Other goods and services Percent changes January 1972 to April 1972 Food at home Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish : Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home Food away from home Housing Shelter Rent Homeownership Fuel and utilities Fuel oil and coal Gas and electricity Household furnishings and operation / / Apparel and upkeep Men's and boys' Women's and girls' Footwear Transportation Private Public Health and recreation Medical care Personal care Reading and recreation Other goods and services / See footnote 1, table 2. 2/ Not available, 3/ Corrected indexes November 1971=112; December 1971=112; January 1972*113.; 1971 annual average=11 4/ Corrected Indexes January 1971=111; February 1971*112; March 1971=114; April 1971=115; May 1971=115; June 1971=116.; July 1971=111.; August 1971=111; September 1971=111; October 1971=111; November 1971=111; December 1971=116; 1971 annual average"113. 5/ Corrected indexei November 1971=114; December 1971=114; January 1972=114; 1971 annual average*111. 6/ Corrected indexei January 1971=111; February 1971=112; March 1971=117; April 1971=117; May 1971=118; June 1971=119; July L-112; August 1971=114; September 1971=114; October 1971=113; November 1971=113; December 1971=121; 1971 annual average"115. January 1972=121; February 1972=121; March 1972=121. 7/ Corrected indexes January 1972=119; 1971 annual average*12. 8/ Corrected indexei January 1972=116; 1971 annual average*117. 9/ Change from February

14 Table 6. Consumer Price Index United States and selected areas for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food and its subgroups Food at home Area 1/ Total food Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home Food away from home (Indexes 1967=1) U.S. City Average AwXdmCfl "* "' - ii. in" 1 " Baltimore Boston U U t x. 1x «^i.-i-n ~ i i i i N Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Honolulu Houston Kansas City Los Angeles-Long Beach - Milwaukee Minneapolis-St. Paul N.Y.-Northeastern N.J Philadelphia Pittsburgh St. Louis San Diego San Francisco-Oakland Seattle Washington U.S. City Average Atlanta Baltimore Boston Buffalo Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Detroit Honolulu Houston Kansas City Los Angeles-Long Beach - Milwaukee Minneapolis-St. Paul N.Y.-Northeastern N.J Philadelphia Pittsburgh St. Louis San Diego San Francisco-Oakland Seattle Washington / See footnote 1, table 2. 2/ Not available. 13

15 Table 7* Consumer Price Index--United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food items indexes and percent changes from selected dates Item or group Onadlusted April 1972 Seasonally adjusted t to April 1972 from-- March 1972 Seasonally April 1971 Unadjusted adjusted Unadjusted Total food Food away from home Restaurant meals --- Snacks Food at home Cereal8 and bakery products Flour Cracker meal ---- Corn flakes Rice Bread, white Bread, whole wheat Cookies Layer cake^ *- Cinnamon rolls Meats, poultry, and fish --- Meats Beef and veal Steak, round Steak, sirloin Steak, porterhouse Rump roast -- Rib roast Chuck roast Hamburger Beef liver Veal cutlets Pork Chops Loin roast Pork sausage Ham, whole Picnics Bacon Other meats -- Lamb chops Frankfurters Ham, canned Bologna sausage Salami sausage Liverwurst -- Poultry - Frying chicken -- Chicken breasts Turkey Fish Shrimp, frozen Fish, fresh or frozen -- Tuna fish, canned Sardines, canned Dairy products Milk, fresh, grocery Milk, fresh, delivered --- Milk, fresh, skim Milk, evaporated Ice cream Cheese, American process - Butter A

16 Table 7. Consumer Price Index United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, food itei April 1972 indexes and percent changes from selected dates Continued Item or group Unadjusted Index April 1972 Seasonally adjusted Percent change to April 1972 from March 1972 April 1971 Seasonally Unadjusted unadjusted adjusted Fruits and vegetables Fresh Fruits and vegetables Fresh fruits Apples Grapes, Thompson seedless 1/ Onions, yellow Carrots Celery, pascal Cucumbers Lettuce Green peppers Spinach Tomatoes Processed fruits and vegetables Fruit cocktail Pears, bartlett, canned Pineapple-grapefruit juice dri. Orange juice, frozen Tomatoes, canned Dried beans Margarine, colored Salad dressing, Italian style Salad or cooking oil Grape j e 1 ly Chocolate bar, plain milk Chocolate flavored syrup Nonalcoholic Beverages ea *^ arink Spaghetti, in tomato sauce Potatoes, french fried, frozen Sweet pickle relish ' ^ T _# ~ !l o # / Priced only in season. 15

17 Table 8. Consumer Price Index United States city average for urban items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from sleeted dates?age earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected (1967=1 unless otherwise specified) Item and group Housing Shelter 1/ Rent -~ Homeowner ship costs 2/.- Mortgage interest rates Property taxes Property insurance rates Maintenance and repairs Commodities 3/ Exterior house paint Interior house paint Services Repainting living and dining rooms Reshingling house roof Residing house Sink replacement Furnace repair Fuel and utilities Fuel oil and coal Fuel oil, #2 Gas and electricity Gas - Electricity Other utilities: Residential telephone services Residential water and sewerage services < Household furnishings and operation kl Housefurnishings -- Textiles = Sheets* percale or muslin Curtains, tailored, polyester - Bedspreads, chiefly cotton Drapery fabric, cotton or rayon/acetate Pillows, bed, polyester, acrylic, or kapok Slipcover, throws, ready made chiefly cotton Furniture and bedding Bedroom furniture, chest and dresser -* Sofas upholstered Cocktail table Dining room chairs Recliner upholstered Sofas, dual purpose Bedding-mattress and box springs Aluminum folding chair 6/ Cribs Floor coverings Broadloom, carpeting, manmade-fibers Vinyl sheet goods Vinyl asbestos tile Appliances 7/ Washing machines, electric, automatic Vacuum cleaners, canister type Refrigerators or refrigerator-freezers electric Ranges, free standing, gas or electric Clothes dryers, electric, automatic Air conditioners, demountable Room heaters, electric, portable 6_/ Garbage disposal units Other housefurnishings: Dinnerware, earthenware Flatware, stainless steel Table lamps, with shade Lawn mower8, jpower, rotary type Electric drills, hand held Housekeeping supplies: Laundry soaps and detergents Paper napkins Toilet tissue Housekeeping services: Domestic service, general housework Baby sitter service Postal charges Laundry, flatwork, finished service Licensed day care service, preschool child Washing machine repairs Other index hasos Mar. 7 Dec. 71 Mar. 7 Dec. 71 June 7 April llt Indexe 8 March Percent change from: March to April 1972 April (V) 1 (5/) See footnotes at end of table. 16

18 Table 8. Consumer Price Index United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from selected dates Continued (1967=1 unless otherwise specified) Item and group Other Index index percent change from: to April 1972 Apparel and upkeep 8/ Apparel commodities * Apparel commodities less footwear ' <- Men's and boys' Men's: Topcoats, wool or all-weather coats, polyester blends J/ Suits, year round weight Suits, tropical weight J/ Jackets, lightweight - Slacks, wool or wool blends Slacks, cotton or manmade blends Trousers, work, cotton or polyester/cotton Shirts, work, cotton or polyester/cotton Shirts, business, polyester/cotton T-shirts, chiefly cotton Socks, cotton or manmade fibers Handkerchiefs, cotton or polyester/cotton Boy's: Coats, all purpose, cotton or cotton blend 6_/ - Sport coats, wool or wool, blend _6/ Dungarees, cotton or cotton blend Undershorts, cotton - Women's and girls' - Women's: Coats, heavyweight, wool or wool blend _6/ Car coats, heavyweight, cotton _6/ Sweaters, wool or acrylic 6_/ Skirts, wool, wool blend or manmade fibers J/ - Skirts, cotton or polyester/cotton 6/ Blouses, cotton or manmade fibers Dresses, street, chiefly manmade fiber Dresses, street, wool or wool blend j/ Slips, nylon > Panties, acetate or nylon tricot Girdles, manmade blend Brassier8, nylon lace r - Hose, or panty hose, nylon seamless Anklets, or knee-length socks, various fibers - Gloves, fabric, nylon or cotton - Handbags, rayon faille or plastic Girls': Raincoats, vinyl cotton, or polyester blends -- Skirts, wool, wool blends, or acrylic jf Dresses, cotton, manmade fibers or blends 6/ -- Slacks, cotton or chiefly cotton g_/ Slips, polyester blends Handbags, plastic - Footwear Men's: Shoes, street. Shoes, work, high Women's: Shoes, street, pump Shoes, evening, pump Shoes, casual Houseslippers, scuff Children's: Shoes, oxford ^ Sneakers, boys', oxford type - Dress shoes, girls*, strap or pump Miscellaneous apparel: Diapers, cotton gauze or disposable Yard goods, polyester blend Wrist watches, men's and women's Apparel services: Drycleaning, men's suits and women's dresses Automatic laundry service Laundry, men's shirts Tailoring charge, hem adjustment Shoe repair, women's heel lift T T llt.l See footnotes at end of table. 17

19 Table 8. Consumer Price Index United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from selected dates Continued ( unless otherwise specified) Item and group Transportation Private 9/ Automobiles, new Automobiles, used Gasoline, regular and premium Motor oil, premium Tires, new, tubeless Auto repairs and maintenance 1/ Auto insurance rates Auto registration Parking fees, private and municipal- Local transit fares Taxicab fares Railroad fares, coach ~ Airplane fares, chiefly coach Bus fares, intercity Health and recreation -- Medical care Drugs and prescriptions Over-the-counter items- Multiple vitamin concentrates-- Aspirin compounds» Liquid tonics Adhesive bandages, packages Cold tablets or capsules Cough syrup Prescriptions Anti-infectives Sedatives and hypnotics Ataractics Anti-spasmodics > Cough preparations Cardiovasculars and anti-hypertensives Analgesics, internal.-... An t i - obes ity Hormones Professional services: Physicians' fees.-»-. -- General physician, office visits > General physician, house visits Obstetrical cases Pediatric care, office visits Psychiatrist, office visits Herniorrhaphy, adult Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy Dentists 1 fees, Fillings, adult, amalgam, one surface - Extractions, adult Dentures, full upper ~ Other professional services: Examination, prescription, and dispensing of eyeglasi Routine laboratory tests -- - Hospital service charges Semiprivate rooms Operating room charges X-ray, diagnostic series, upper G.I. Laboratory test, urinalysis > Anti-infective, tetracyline, HCL Tranquilizer, Chlordiazepoxide, HCL Electrocardlogr* Intravenous solution, saline Physical therapy, whirlpool bath Oxygen, inhalation therapy Personal care Toilet goods Toothpaste, standard dentifrice Toilet soap, hard milled Hand lotions, liquid Shaving cream, aerosol Face powder, pressed Deodorants, aerosol ---. Cleansing tissues Home permanent wave kits Personal care services... Men 1 s haircuts ~ Beauty shop services Women's haircuts Shampoo and wave sets, plain Permanent waves, cold Other index bases Jan. 72 Jan. 72 Jan. 72 Jan. 72 Jan. 72 Jan. 72 Jan. 72 Jan. 72 April Indexes March i Percent change to April 1972 from: March 1972 April , (5/) (5/) (5/) (5/) (V) (5/) (5/) (5/) See footnotes at end of table. 18

20 Table 8. Consumer Price Index United States city average for urban wage earners and clerical workers, indexes for selected items and groups, April 1972 and percent changes from selected dates Continued (1967=1 unless otherwise specified) Item and group Other index to April 1972 April 1971 Reading and recreation UV Recreational goods TV sets, portable and console TV replacement tubes Radios, portable and table mode) Tape recorders, portable Phonograph records, stereophonic Movie cameras, Super 8, zoom lens Film, 35mm, color Golf balls, liquid center or solid core Basketballs, rubber or vinyl cover --' Fishing rods, fresh water spincasting Bowling balls Bicycles, boys 1 Tricycles ' Dog food, canned or boxed Recreational services Indoor movie admissions Adult Children's Drive-in movie admissions, adult- Bowling fees, evening Golf green fees 6/ TV repair, color picture tube replacement Film developing, color ---- Reading and education: Newspapers, street sale and delivery Magazines, single copy and subscription Piano lessons, beginner Other goods and services Tobacco products Cigarettes, nonfilter tip, regular size Cigarettes, filter tip, king size Cigars, domestic, regular size Alcoholic beverages Beer Whiskey, spirit blended and straight bourbon Wine, dessert and table Away from home Financial and miscellaneous personal expenses: Funeral services, adult- Bank service charges, checking accounts Legal services, short form will Other special groups: All items less shelter Commodities less food Nondurables less food and apparel Household services less rent Transportation services Other services / Also includes hotel and motel rates not shown separately. 2/ Also includes home purchase costs not shown separately. 3/ Also includes pine shelving, furnace air filters, packaged dry cement mix, and shrubbery not shown separately. 4/ Also includes Venetian blinds, nails, carpet sweepers, air deodorizers, steel wool scouring pads, envelopes, reupholstering, and moving expenses. 5_/ Not available. 6/ Priced only in season. TJ Also includes radios and television sets, shown separately under readin iding and recreation. 8/ Also includes men's sport shirts, women's and girls' lightweight coats, women's slacks, cocktail dresses, bathing suits, girls' shorts, earrings, and zippers not shown separately. 9/ Also includes recapped tires and drivers' license fees not shown separately. 1/ Includes prices for water pump replacement, motor time-up, automatic transmission repair, exhaust system repair, front end alignment, and chassis lubrication. 11/ Also includes outboard motors, nondurable toys, college tuition fees, paperback books, and college textbooks, not shown separately. 19

21 Table 9. Consumer Price Index seasonal adjustment factors for use with 1972 indexes (calculated from data through March 1972) Groups January February April May July August September October November December Commodity and service groups Commodities Food Food at hi Cereals and bakery products Meats, poultry, and fish Dairy products Fruits and vegetables Other foods at home Food away from home Commodities less food Nondurables less food Apparel commodities Men's and boys' Women's and girls' Footwear Nondurables less food and apparel- Gasoline and motor oil Tobacco products Alcoholic beverages Fuel oil and coal Other nondurables Durable commodities Household durables New cars Used cars Other durables Rent Services less rent Household services less rent Transportation services Medical care services Other services Special indexes: All items less food Nondurable commodities Apparel commodities less footwear Services less medical care services Insurance and finance Utilities and public transportation Housekeeping and home maintenance services (_/> <_/> a a/> <!/> _O <_/> _o Expenditure classes (I/) / 1" <_./> <_/> (I/) f, lob. I <!/> _/ (I/) <_./> OI All items Food Housing Rent Home ownership Fuel and utilities Gas and electricity Household furnishings and operation- Apparel and upkeep Transportation Public Health and recreation Medical care P OTQnnfl 1 f* gva_m_ab_aimh ai,, Reading and recreation Other goods and services Special indexes: All items less shelter All items less medical care All items less mortgage interest costs-' I 99 (I/) _/ <_/> " ". 9 <_/> _o a <!/> U/> Q,/) (_/> If Series is not seasonally adjusted. 2

22 Table 1. Consumer Price Index food items, seasonal adjustment factors for use with 1972 indexes (calculated from data through March 1972) Item or group April May July August Septen ber January February October December Total food Food away from hoi Restaurant meals Snacks Food at home Cereals and bakery products- Flour Cracker meal Corn flakes Rice Bread, white- Bread, whole wheat Cookies Layer cake Cinnamon rolls Meats, poultry, and fish Meats- Beef and veal- Steak, round Steak, sirloin- Steak, porterhouse Rump roast Rib roast Chuck roast- Hamburger Beef liver Veal cutlets Pork Chops Loin roast Pork sausage Ham, whole Picnics Bacon Other meats Lamb chops Frankfurters Ham, canned- Bologna sausage Salami sausage- Live rwurst Poultry Frying chicken Chicken breasts Turkey PigJ^ Shrimp, frozen Fish, fresh or frozen Tuna fish, canned- Sardines, canned Dairy products Milk, fresh, grocery- Milk, fresh, delivered- Milk, fresh, skim- Milk, evaporated- Ice cream Cheese, American process Butter See footnotes at end of table. 21

23 Table 1. Consumer Price Index food items, seasonal adjustment factors for use with 1972 indexes (calculated from data through March 1972) Continued Item or group April May July August Septem ber January February October November December Fruits and vegetable; Fresh fruits and vegetables Fresh frui ts Apples Bannanas Oranges Orange juice, fresh Grapefruit- Grapes Strawberries Watermelon (I/) an Fresh vegetables- Potatoes Onions Asparagus- Cabbage Carrots Celery Cucumbers Lettuce Peppers, green Spinach Tomatoes Processed fruits and vegetables Fruit cocktail, canned Pears canned Pineapple-grapefruit juice, canned Orange juice concentrate, frozen Lemonade concentrate, frozen Beets, canned Peas, green, canned Tomatoes, canned Dried beans Broccoli, frozen Fats and oils: Margarine Salad dressing, Italian Salad or cooking oil Sugar and sweets Grape jelly Chocolate bar Syrup, chocolate flavored- Nonalcholic beverages Coffee, can and bag Coffee, instant Tea Cola drink- Carbonated fruit drink Prepared and partially prepared foods- Bean soup, canned Chicken soup, canned- Spaghetti, canned Mashed potatoes, instant Potatoes, french fried, frozen Baby foods, canned Sweet pickle relish- Pretzels (I/) , Miscellaneous indexes: Housefurnishings Fuel oil #2- Natural gas, residential heating Natural gas, other than residental heating- Natural gas, 1 therms Natural gas, 25 therms Electricity Electricity 1 kwhrs * / Priced only in season. 22

24 Brief Explanation of the CPI The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average changes in prices of goods and services usually bought by urban wage earners and clerical workers, both families and single persons living alone. It is based on prices of about 4 items which were selected to represent the movement of prices of all goods and services purchased by wage earners and clerical workers. Prices for these items are obtained in urban portions of 39 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA's) and 17 smaller cities, which were chosen to represent all urban places in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They are collected from grocery and department stores, hospitals, filling stations, and other types of stores and service establishments which wage earners and clerical workers patronize. Prices of foods, fuels, and a few other items are obtained every month in all 56 locations. Prices of most other commodities and services are collected every month in the 5 largest SMSA's and every 3 months in other SMSA? s and cities. Mail questionnaires are used to obtain local transit fares, public utility rates, newspaper prices, fuel prices, and certain other items which change in price infrequently. Prices of most other goods and services are obtained by personal visits of the Bureau's trained representatives. In calculating the index, price changes for the various items in each location are averaged together with weights which represent their importance in the spending of all wage earners and clerical workers. SMSA and city data are then combined in the total index with weights based on the 196 populations of SMSA's and cities they represent. Index numbers are computed on the base 1967=1, and are also available on the base of =1. The national index (the United States city average) includes prices from the 23 SMSA's for which separate indexes are published in this report, as well as from the following additional locations: Alabama - Florence Alaska - Anchorage California - Bakersfield* Colorado - Denver* Connecticut - Hartford* Florida - Orlando* Indiana - Indianapolis* Indiana - Logansport Illinois - Champaign-Urbana* Iowa - Cedar Rapids* Kansas - Wichita* Louisiana - Baton Rouge* Maine - Portland* Massachusetts - Southbridge Michigan - Niles Minnesota - Crookston Mississippi - Vicksburg Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area New Jersey - Millville New York - Kingston North Carolina - Durham* North Dakota - Devils Lake Ohio - Dayton* Ohio - Find lay Oklahoma - Mangum Oregon - Klamath Falls Pennsylvania - Lancaster* South Carolina - Union Tennessee - Nashville* Texas - Austin* Texas - McAllen Utah - Orem Virginia - Martinsville Wisconsin - Green Bay* Comparisons of indexes for individual SMSA's show only that prices in one location changed more or less than in another. The SMSA indexes cannot be used to measure differences in price levels or in living costs between areas. A description of the index and historical tables of index numbers for the United States city average and for 23 large SMSA's are available on request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D. C or any of its regional offices. A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data Because price data are used for different purposes by different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each month. For analyzing general price trends in the economy, seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred since they eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur at the same time and in about the same magnitude every year such as price movements resulting from changing climatic conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays, and sales. The unadjusted data are of primary interest to consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay. Unadjusted data are also used extensively for escalation purposes. Many collective bargaining contract agreements and pensions plans, for example, tie compensation changes to the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal variation. 23