KANSAS CITY, Kans. — Prices in the Midwest Region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), increased 0.2 percent in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table A.) Food prices were up 1.0 percent in September and energy costs rose 0.9 percent. The all items less food and energy index was unchanged in September. Within the all items less food and energy category, prices were higher for shelter, apparel, and household furnishings and operations. The categories for used cars and trucks, recreation, and medical care were lower. (Data in this report are not seasonally adjusted. Accordingly, month-to-month changes may reflect seasonal influences.)
Over the last 12 months, the CPI-U increased 5.7 percent. (See chart 1.) The index for all items less food and energy increased 4.0 percent over the year. Energy prices jumped 27.3 percent, largely the result of an increase in the price of gasoline. Food prices increased 5.5 percent. (See table 1.)
Food
Food prices advanced 1.0 percent for the month of September. Prices for food at home rose 1.1 percent, and prices for food away from home were up 0.9 percent for the same period.
Over the year, food prices increased 5.5 percent. Prices for food at home advanced 5.6 percent since a year ago, and prices for food away from home rose 5.3 percent.
Energy
The energy index rose 0.9 percent over the month. The increase was mainly due to higher prices for natural gas service (4.6 percent). Prices for gasoline were up 0.1 percent, while prices for electricity fell 0.1 percent for the same period.
Energy prices jumped 27.3 percent over the year, largely due to higher prices for gasoline (45.8 percent). Prices paid for natural gas service jumped 34.2 percent, and prices for electricity increased 0.8 percent during the past year.
All items less food and energy
The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in September. Higher prices for shelter (0.3 percent), apparel (2.7 percent), and household furnishings and operations (1.2 percent) were offset by lower prices for used cars and trucks (-3.9 percent), recreation (-0.8 percent), and medical care (-0.3 percent).
Over the year, the index for all items less food and energy increased 4.0 percent. Components contributing to the increase included shelter (3.8 percent) and new and used motor vehicles (14.1 percent).