Midwest CPI nudges up in March

The Midwest Consumer Price Index increased marginally in March - by 0.2 percent - following a 1.1 percent month-to-month rise in February.

Last month's CPI registered at 222.12, up from 221.60 in February, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

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 $222.12 last month. The index is not seasonally adjusted, and items are weighted based on their spending significance in certain areas.

Leading the March increase was a 0.5 percent rise in the Midwest energy index. Motor fuel prices bumped up by 0.9 percent and costs for piped utility gas service turned up 0.3 percent, which was partially offset by a 0.4 percent decrease in electricity prices, the release said.

Food prices increased 0.2 percent last month, and within the index, costs for food at home and food away from home each rose by 0.2 percent.

In the all other items category - which rose by 0.2 percent in March - higher prices were registered in shelter, at 0.2 percent; apparel, 1 percent; medical care, 0.4 percent; and used vehicles, 1.4 percent. Among offsetting decreases was a 0.5 percent decline in the index for household furnishings and operations, according to the release.

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