Midwest consumer price index holds steady

The Midwest consumer price index was largely flat in April, dropping a tenth of a percentage point to 221.93 from 222.12 in March.

The CPI - which shows price changes for energy, food and all other items - is measured in comparison to a base period of 1982-84. A typical market basket of goods and services that cost $100 in 1982-84 cost $221.93 last month. The index is not seasonally adjusted, and items are weighted based on their spending significance in certain areas.

According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release, a 2.6 percent decrease in motor fuel costs had the largest impact on the April index in the 12-state Midwest region.

As a whole, the energy index dropped by 1.5 percent last month. Electricity costs also fell - by 1.2 percent - while piped utility gas service prices rose 2.8 percent.

The index for food prices was unchanged, reflecting level costs at grocery stores and in restaurants, the release said.

The index for all other items registered a slight increase, at 0.1 percent. Higher prices were in residential rent, which was up 0.2 percent; apparel, 0.8 percent; used cars and trucks, 1 percent; and recreation, 0.2 percent. Education and communication dropped 0.3 percent, according to the BLS.

The Midwest region comprises Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

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