CPI for all items rises 0.3% in February; Shelter Up

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in
February, after rising 0.2 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12
months, the all items index increased 2.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.2 percent in February and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase. The
food index increased 0.4 percent over the month as did the food at home index, while the food away from home index rose
0.3 percent. The index for energy also increased in February, rising 0.6 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in February. Indexes that increased over the month
include medical care, apparel, household furnishings and operations, airline fares, and education. Conversely, the
indexes for communication, used cars and trucks, motor vehicle insurance, and personal care were among the major
indexes that decreased in February.

The all items index rose 2.4 percent for the 12 months ending February, the same increase as reported for the 12 months
ending January. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.5 percent over the year, also the same increase as
reported for the 12 months ending in January. The energy index increased 0.5 percent for the 12 months ending February.
The food index increased 3.1 percent over the last year.