Transportation offsets hike in other prices

Fueled by the continuing decline in gas prices, airfares and vehicle rental rates offsetting other rising costs, the Zions Bank Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index remained unchanged from July to August. The index has grown 1.3 percent since this same time last year.

Fueled by the continuing decline in gas prices, airfares and vehicle rental rates offsetting other rising costs, the Zions Bank Wasatch Front Consumer Price Index remained unchanged from July to August. The index has grown 1.3 percent since this same time last year. Meanwhile, the national Consumer Price Index increased 0.1 percent from July to August and has grown 1.1 percent over the past year.

Transportation prices decreased more than any other sector in August, falling 2.3 percent as prices for gasoline and rates for vehicle rentals and airfares declined. Since this time last year, transportation prices have declined 3.2 percent in Utah and 4.9 percent in the U.S. These declines took place in spite of the fact that the price of Brent Crude Oil, the international benchmark for oil prices, remained fairly steady in the month of August. Currently, futures register at about $46 per barrel, compared to $38 per barrel at the year’s open and $53 per barrel at their peak in early June.

Gas prices across the nation have decreased over the last month largely due to lower driving demand as the busy summer driving season has come to a close. Gasoline prices are expected to continue to decline as the changeover from summer blend to a cheaper winter blend begins to take place through September. Gas prices in Utah are higher than the national average of $2.18 per gallon, averaging $2.33 per gallon last week.

“Oil prices climbed in early 2016 but have remained fairly steady over the past three months,” said Scott Anderson, Zions Bank president and CEO. “Relatively low gasoline prices have continued to yield savings at the pump for consumers, and combined with lower costs for groceries, consumer dollars are stretching even further.”

Food at home prices decreased 1.5 percent in August as prices for a variety of fruits and vegetables decreased. Grocery prices nationwide have fallen for eight straight months as U.S. food companies have continued to produce and stockpile food while overseas demand has simultaneously tapered. Meanwhile, prices for food away from home remained fairly steady as higher prices for fast food were offset by lower prices for full-service meals.

Clothing prices increased more than any other sector, rising 2.0 percent from July to August as prices for women’s and men’s apparel more than offset lower prices for children’s clothes. Medical care prices also saw strong gains, increasing 1.9 percent in August as prices for prescription drugs increased. Utah has remained relatively insulated from rising medical care prices, which have increased 4.0 percent nationally but only 0.1 percent in Utah since this time last year.

Housing prices rose 0.4 percent from July to August as apartment rental rates increased. The housing index includes prices for furniture, bedding, appliances and maintenance in addition to rates for hotels, motels and apartment rent. Prices in the housing sector as a whole have increased 3.0 percent since this time last year. Specifically, prices for homes have fared even better, rising 7.9 percent in the last year compared to a national increase of 5.4 percent.

Recreation prices increased 1.1 percent in August as prices for pets and pet products increased. Prices for other goods and services increased 0.2 percent, as prices for personal care, hygiene and cosmetics products increased, more than offsetting lower prices for laundry services.

Education and communication prices increased 0.9 percent in August, as tuition and fees at some elementary and high schools rose. Prices for the utilities sector increased 0.1 percent as rates for garbage collection and water increased slightly. Combined, these two categories account for just over 11 percent of the average Utahn’s expenditures, resulting in a moderate impact on the overall CPI in spite of only minor price increases.

Analysis and data collection for the Zions Bank CPI and the Zions Bank Consumer Attitude Index are provided by the Cicero Group, a market research firm based in Salt Lake City.