The Consumer Price Index increased by 0.3% in October, to an index value of 216.177 (1982- 84=100), more than the expected 0.2% increase, after increasing by 0.2 and 0.4% in August and September respectively. Over the year the CPI is down by 0.2%. The food index also increased by 0.1% over the month, bringing down the food index over the year by 0.6%, following a decline of 0.2% in September, the first decline in the index in 40 years. The energy index increased by 1.5% and is down by 14% over the year. Excluding food and energy prices, which tend to be most volatile in terms of expenditure categories in a typical consumption bundle, the Core CPI increased once again by 0.2% over the month, and has advanced by 1.7% since September 2008.
Housing Starts in October decreased by 10.6% to an annual pace of 529,000, less than the expected 599,000 pace, from the revised 592,000 in September (originally reported at 590,000). Over the year the figure has declined by 30.7% from the October 2008 rate of 763,000. Building Permits declined by 4.0%, over the month to 552,000, less than the expected 598,000 level, following 575,000 permits annualized in September. Over the year, Building Permits fell by 24.3% from the 729,000 pace in October 2008.
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