For Current And Historical Material In This — 2003-10-16

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in September, before seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The September level of 185.2 (1982-84=100) was 2.3 percent higher than in September 2002. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.4 percent in September, prior to seasonal adjustment. The September level of 181.0 was 2.3 percent higher than in September 2002. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.3 percent in September, the same as in August. Energy costs advanced sharply for the second consecutive month--up 3.0 percent in September--reflecting a 6.3 percent increase in the index for gasoline. The index for food rose 0.2 percent with the index for food at home up 0.3 percent.