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Consumer Price Index Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI CPI U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Midwest Information Office Internet: www.bls.gov/ro5/ FOR RELEASE: GENERAL INFORMATION: (312) 353-1880 ~:3o A.M. CT MEDIA CONTACT: Paul LaPorte Friday, August 14, 2009 (312) 353-1138 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MINN.-WIS. MSA FIRST HALF 2009 Page 1 of 4 Retail prices in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area were down i.~ percent in the first half of 2009 compared with their levels in the second half of 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The first half 2009 Minneapolis-St. Paul all items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was 2o6.i6~ (1982- 84=ioo), representing a i.o percent decrease over the first half of 2008. In the previous annual period, first half 200 to first half 2008, retail prices in the Twin Cities recorded a 3.8 percent gain. Regional Commissioner Jay A. Mousa stated that the i.~ percent decrease in the all items Minneapolis-St. Paul CPI-U during the first half of 2009 was primarily attributed to lower costs for the energy related categories of gasoline and utility (piped) gas service. Prices for other goods and services and recreation also fell in the first half of the year, but with less impact. Consumer expenditure categories for medical care, education and communication, and apparel rose during the first half of 2009 while food and beverage prices were nearly unchanged. Transportation costs fell 9.4 percent during the first half of this year. Gasoline prices were down 28.2 percent. Compared with their average during the first six months of 2008, gasoline prices were down 36.9 percent. In the previous annual period, gasoline prices rose 23.3 percent. The overall transportation component was i2.6 percent lower in the first half of 2009 compared with its first half average of 2008. The housing component decreased i.o percent during the first half of 2009. A 29.4 percent decline in the utility (piped) gas service index was a major contributing factor in this decline. This latest decline in the utility (piped) gas service index compares with a 22.3 percent gain in the first half of 2008. Elsewhere in the housing component, the electricity index gained o.6 percent and the household furnishings and operations index rose 2.1 percent in the first half of 2009. Compared to the first half of 2008, the overall housing component was up a modest o.2 percent. Increases in the indexes for shelter (1.5 percent), electricity (5.5 percent), and household furnishings and operations (4.4 Percent) were nearly offset by a 35.5 Percent decline in the utility. (piped) gas service index. The other goods and services component was down 3.4 percent during the first half of this year and was 6.4 percent below its first half 2oo81eve1. Recreation costs declined i.3 percent during the first half of 2009 and were o.3 percent lower than a year ago. Food and beverage prices were essentially unchanged, increasing o.i percent during the first six months of 2009. The food at home index (grocery food items) fell 0.4 percent and the food away from home index rose o.8 percent. Alcoholic beverage prices advanced i.9 percent. On an annual basis, food and beverage prices were 3.3 percent higher. Grocery foods were 3.8 percent more expensive while dining out was 2.5 percent costlier over the year. Alcoholic beverage prices gained 4.8 percent from their first half of 2oo81evels. Apparel prices were rose 1.1 percent during the first half of 2009. Compared with their first half 2oo81eve1, apparel prices were down o.6 percent. During the previous annual period, apparel prices fe112.5 percent. The education and communications component rose o.8 percent during the first six months of this year and was 3.0 percent higher for the year. http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/print.pl/ro5/cpimpls.htm 10/7/2009