W2R
Moderator Emeritus
The BLS has released the 2009 CPI-U figures, which (perfect or not) many of us use for our computations. They are included in this table of historical CPI-U values.
The meaningful number here, to me, is the change in CPI-U averaged throughout the year which for 2009 (compared with 2008) is -0.40%. This is the first decrease in over 50 years.
Looking at other information on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website, it looks like the decrease was in good part due to the decrease in the prices for fuel oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products.
Sure makes my investment returns in 2009 look nice. Not that I believe that the CPI-U is the "be all and end all" measure of inflation, but it is one that many use.
The meaningful number here, to me, is the change in CPI-U averaged throughout the year which for 2009 (compared with 2008) is -0.40%. This is the first decrease in over 50 years.
Looking at other information on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website, it looks like the decrease was in good part due to the decrease in the prices for fuel oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products.
Sure makes my investment returns in 2009 look nice. Not that I believe that the CPI-U is the "be all and end all" measure of inflation, but it is one that many use.