Prices in the Midwest Region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), advanced 0.5 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

A news release says the January increase was most influenced by higher prices for energy, although prices for food and for all items less food and energy also rose.

Over the last 12 months, the CPI-U rose 1.2 percent. The index for all items- less food and energy- also rose 1.2 percent over the year; and food prices increased 3.1 percent. In contrast, energy prices declined 3.0 percent.