Consumer Electronic Prices Still Lagging Increasing CPI Inflation

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The BLS announced this morning the CPI rose 0.3 percent in November, increasing 2.1 percent over the last 12 months.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.3 percent in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.4 percent in October, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.1 percent before seasonal adjustment.

Increases in the shelter and energy indexes were major factors in the seasonally adjusted monthly increase of the all items index. Increases in the indexes for medical care, for recreation, and for food also contributed to the overall increase. The gasoline index rose 1.1 percent in November and the other major energy component indexes also increased. The food index rose 0.1 percent, with the indexes for both food at home and food away from home increasing over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in November, the same increase as in October. Along with the indexes for shelter, for medical care, and for recreation, the indexes for used cars and trucks and for apparel also rose in November. The new vehicles index fell in November, as did the index for airline fares.

The all items index increased 2.1 percent for the 12 months ending November, a larger rise than the 1.8 percent increase for the period ending October. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.3 percent over the last 12 months. The food index rose 2.0 percent over the last l2 months, while the
energy index declined 0.6 percent over the last year.   – BLS

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Consumer Electronics Inflation

We have broken out and analyzed the price trends in the major consumer electronic components of the Consumer Price Index.  Consumer electronics continue to lag the overall inflation with some sectors still in outright deflation such as computer and home assistants.

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Relative Price Trends

The following chart illustrates the relative price trend of the listed component compared to core CPI.   All four of the sectors we looked at are lagging core CPI significantly with Computers & Smart Home Assistants and Telephone Hardware relative prices showing significant declines.

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