The latest annualized rate is -0.18%.

The October 2009 Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) is 216.177. The annualized inflation rate computed from this number is -0.18%, which marks the eighth consecutive month of deflation. However, the rate of deflation has steadily eased over the past four months from -2.10% in July, -1.48% in August, -1.29% in September, to the current -0.18%.

Note: The Alternate CPI puts the annualized inflation rate at 7.13%. This number comes from the ShadowStats.com pre-1982 calculation method.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began calculating the CPI in 1913 (BLS historic data). Our chart now shows inflation back to 1872 by adding Warren and Pearsons's price index for the earlier years. The spliced series is available at Yale Professor Robert Shiller's website. This look further back into the past dramatically illustrates the extreme oscillation between inflation and deflation during the first 70 years of our timeline.

Historical Inflation Data

Overview: Inflation, recessions and the S&P 500

Table: Monthly & annual inflation data since 1946

Alternate Inflation Data This chart includes an alternate look at inflation without the calculation modifications the '80s and '90s (Data from www.shadowstats.com).

For a fascinating perspective on inflation and the adjustments to the official calculation method, see these videos from ChrisMartenson.com.

The November 2009 CPI is scheduled for release on December 16, 2009.