Midwest CPI bumps up 0.7% in April

The Midwest Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers increased by 0.7 percent in April to 212.535, pushed forward by further increases in the cost of motor fuel, according to recently released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The BLS divides the CPI into three categories: food, energy and all other items except food and energy, such as apparel, household furnishings, vehicles, recreation and shelter.

Motor fuel prices increased 9.3 percent in April, the eigth consecutive monthly advance and the most consecutive increases recorded since the 1978-1980 period. Energy costs overall rose 5.6 percent during the month, according to a news release.

Food prices rose 0.3 percent in April, with prices for food at home and food away from home increasing by 0.3 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.

The index for all other items increased 0.2 percent last month, with a jump in the cost of apparel, 1.9 percent, and new and used motor vehicles, 0.7 percent.

During the last year, the Midwest CPI for all urban consumers has risen 3.3 percent, the largest year-to-year increase since October 2008, the release said.

Year-to-date figures, from April 2010 to April 2011

• The energy index rose 20.2 percent, primarily due to a motor fuel cost increase of 34.2 percent. Prices for electricity rose by 4.5 percent, and utility gas service costs dropped 2.1 percent.
• The cost of food bumped up 3.3 percent.
• The index for all other items rose 1.2 percent, with a 0.9 percent increase in costs for shelter and a 3.1 percent rise in medical care costs.

The Midwest region comprises Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.[[In-content Ad]]