Consumer prices still rising
The Consumer Price Index for the Midwest increased 0.9 percent in March, following an increase of 0.2 percent in February, and up 3.7 percent from March 2007, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said. Costs for transportation, housing, and apparel accounted for more than 90 percent of the overall gain in the monthly index.
Energy prices, which include prices for motor and household fuels, were up 5.0 percent in March following a 0.5 percent increase the prior month. Energy prices advanced 16.6 percent since March a rise in the uti2007, led by rising motor fuel costs.
Transportation costs had the greatest impact on the overall monthly index, increasing 2.3 percent in March. Motor fuel prices advanced 6.7 percent following February’s decline of 0.3 percent.