Prices in the Midwest Region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), crept up 0.1 percent in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

A news release says the December increase was most influenced by higher prices for energy.

Over the last 12 months, the CPI-U advanced 1.1 percent. The index for all items- less food and energy- increased 1.6 percent over the year; and food prices rose 2.8 percent. In contrast, energy prices declined 7.4 percent.