While gasoline prices continue rising in Oklahoma and most of the country, inflation has not abated as reflected in the latest Consumer Price Index released by the government.
It shows inflation grew 0.4% in September, more than expected as it rose 0.1% in August.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that over the last 12 months, all of the items on the index increased 8.2% before seasonal adjustment. The largest of the increases were in the shelter, food and medical care indexes. The government explained they were offset partly by a 4.9% decline in the gasoline index.
The food index continued to rise, increasing 0.8 percent over the month as the food at home index rose 0.7 percent. The energy index fell 2.1 percent over the month as the gasoline index declined, but the natural gas and electricity indexes increased.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.6 percent in September, as it did in August. The indexes for shelter, medical care, motor vehicle insurance, new vehicles, household furnishings and operations, and education were among those that increased over the month.
There were some indexes that declined in September, including those for used cars and trucks, apparel, and communication. The all items index increased 8.2 percent for the 12 months ending September, a slightly smaller figure than the 8.3-percent increase for the period ending August.
The all items less food and energy index rose 6.6 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 19.8 percent for the 12 months ending September, a smaller increase than the 23.8-percent increase for the period ending August. The food index increased 11.2 percent over the last year.
