The Labor Force Participation Rate decreased to 63.3% in March... The participation rate is well below the 66% to 67% rate that was normal over the last 20 years, although a significant portion of the recent decline is due to demographics.
Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until
8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, March 15, 2013 USDL-13-0425
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Consumer Price Index - February 2013
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased
0.7 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months,
the all items index increased 2.0 percent before seasonal adjustment.
The gasoline index rose 9.1 percent in February to account for almost
three-fourths of the seasonally adjusted all items increase. The
indexes for electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil also increased,
leading to a 5.4 percent rise in the energy index. The food index
increased slightly in February, rising 0.1 percent. A sharp increase
in the fruits and vegetables index was the major cause of the 0.1
percent increase in the food at home index, with other major grocery
store food group indexes mixed.
The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2 percent in
February. The indexes for shelter, used cars and trucks, recreation,
and medical care all rose in February. These increases more than
offset declines in the indexes for new vehicles, apparel, airline
fares, and tobacco. |
