For Current And Historical This Release Is Embargoed — 1995-10-13

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2 percent before seasonal adjustment in September to a level of 153.2 (1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. For the 12-month period ended in September, the CPI-U increased 2.5 percent. The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose 0.3 percent in September, prior to seasonal adjustment. The September 1995 CPI-W level of 150.6 was 2.5 percent higher than the index in September 1994. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U advanced 0.1 percent in September, continuing the moderate rate of advance in evidence in recent months. The food index rose 0.5 percent in September after registering small increases in each of the 4 preceding months, largely as a result of a sharp upturn in the prices for fresh fruits and vegetables. Energy costs declined for the third consecutive month--down 1.4 percent in September.