Midwest CPI makes largest shift in three years

The Midwest Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers in March experienced its largest monthly increase since June 2009.

The CPI increased 1 percent last month to 218.96 compared to 216.86 in February. The March CPI also increased 2.8 percent year-to-year, according to a news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The CPI - which shows changes in the prices of 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 $218.96 in March. The index is not seasonally adjusted.

Motor fuel price increases led the month-to-month shift with an 11.5 percent increase. Energy costs overall rose 6.6 percent in March, also registering the largest monthly increase since June 2009. Electricity costs were unchanged, according to the release.

The indexes for food and all other items increased slightly during the month, each with 0.3 percent increases.

The year-over-year increase comes from rises in energy, 5.4 percent; food, 3.6 percent; and all other items including shelter, medical care and apparel, 2.3 percent, the release said.

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