21.   Food costs have remained fairly static, as has inflation.

22.   Higher labor costs remain a concern for the Fed, Phillips said.

23.   --Housing costs remain a major competitive disadvantage for Massachusetts.

24.   However, labor cost remain a top concern for analysts and investors.

25.   Hog prices have declined sharply, while the cost of corn remains relatively high, Dekalb said.

26.   In other areas, however, consumer costs remained subdued or even fell.

27.   In February, for example, the U.S. economy added more jobs than expected, though labor costs remained contained.

28.   In the months ahead, labor costs should remain subdued, analysts said.

29.   It also will be more expensive for airlines to use, although Hartsfield officials say operating costs will remain competitive.

30.   It indicated that labor costs remained restrained, another good sign of subdued inflation.