July CPI inches upward

The Midwest Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent in July after the previous month showed no change, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

The CPI focuses on three categories: food, energy and all other items that aren't food- and energy-related.

July's CPI rose 0.3 percent for food, 1.3 percent in cost of energy, while other items category was unchanged.

Comparatively, the CPI for June showed a 0.5 percent increase in energy costs, a food price decline of 0.3 percent and no change in all other items.

While there were changes in July within the other items category, offsetting movements recorded in the no-change judgment. There was a 2 percent decrease in apparel prices, a 0.4 percent decline in cost of new vehicles, a 1.4 percent increase in sales of used cars and trucks, a medical care increase of 0.4 percent and an education and communication increase of 0.2 percent.

Overall, the July CPI was 208.211, compared to a June figure of 207.886.