Producer Price Index News Release text
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PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES - AUGUST 2017
The Producer Price Index for final demand advanced 0.2 percent in August, seasonally adjusted,
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices edged down 0.1 percent
in July and moved up 0.1 percent in June. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final
demand index increased 2.4 percent for the 12 months ended in August.
Three-quarters of the August increase in final demand prices is attributable to the index for final
demand goods, which climbed 0.5 percent. Prices for final demand services inched up 0.1
percent.
The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased 0.2 percent in August
following no change in July. For the 12 months ended in August, prices for final demand less
foods, energy, and trade services rose 1.9 percent.
Final Demand
Final demand goods: Prices for final demand goods advanced 0.5 percent in August, the largest rise
since moving up 0.5 percent in April. Most of the August increase can be traced to the index for final
demand energy, which climbed 3.3 percent. Prices for final demand goods less foods and energy
moved up 0.2 percent. In contrast, the index for final demand foods fell 1.3 percent.
Product detail: Three-quarters of the August increase in the final demand goods index can be traced
to prices for gasoline, which jumped 9.5 percent. The indexes for jet fuel, industrial chemicals,
potatoes, home heating oil, and light motor trucks also moved higher. Conversely, prices for meats
fell 3.4 percent. The indexes for fresh vegetables (except potatoes) and for plastic resins and
materials also declined. (See table 4.)
Final demand services: The index for final demand services edged up 0.1 percent in August after
falling 0.2 percent in July. Over 70 percent of the increase can be traced to a 0.1-percent advance in
the index for final demand services less trade, transportation, and warehousing. Additionally, prices
for final demand transportation and warehousing services climbed 0.3 percent. Margins for final
demand trade services were unchanged. (Trade indexes measure changes in margins received by
wholesalers and retailers.)
Product detail: Over half of the August increase in the index for final demand services can be
attributed to prices for consumer loans (partial), which advanced 1.7 percent. The indexes for
outpatient care (partial), machinery and equipment wholesaling, truck transportation of freight, and
food retailing also moved higher. In contrast, margins for fuels and lubricants retailing fell 6.8
percent. The indexes for chemicals and allied products wholesaling, guestroom rental, and airline
passenger services also declined.