The producer price index hints at where consumer prices are headed

Feb 16, 2023
Wholesale prices rose 0.7% in January, showing that inflation is sticking around.
Food prices for suppliers dropped 1% month over month, according to the producer price index.
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Wholesale inflation peaked at an annual rate of 11.5% back in March. It’s fallen seven of the last eight months and is now below 8%.
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The prices of industrial metals are surging. That's probably good news for the world economy.

Nov 15, 2022
The increases are seen as an indicator of strength, though they might fuel more inflation.
Copper’s recent price surge hints at a strengthening global economy, boosted by an expected recovery of Chinese manufacturing. Above, a copper mining operation.
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With producer prices up 8.5% in September, what will that mean for consumers?

Oct 12, 2022
While the overall rate of increase moderated in September, costs were still up, especially for food and services.
Wholesale used car prices have been declining, which could be the leading edge of a downward trend in overall inflation, according to one economist.
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For producers, inflation is easing just a bit, Labor Department reports

Sep 14, 2022
Producer prices reflect costs throughout the production process. Prices for raw materials are starting to ease.
Price increases have begun to slow in earlier parts of the production process.
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What can the producer price index tell us about inflation?

Aug 11, 2022
The PPI offers a glimpse into what you might be paying for goods and services in the very near future.
The producer price index declined by half a percentage point in July. That's consistent with other measures that suggest an easing of inflation pressures.
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Just how high will interest rates go?

Apr 13, 2022
We don't know. But the Taylor principle says rates should increase at least to the level of annual inflation to control rising prices.
Among the Federal Reserve's biggest challenges is quelling consumer expectations of high inflation.
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For public good, not for profit.

The Fed has ways to put the brakes on rising prices

Dec 14, 2021
Most of them need a little time to slow the economy down.
To curb inflation, the central bank can reduce bond buying, raise interest rates and try to  influence consumers' expectations and behavior.
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Lumber isn't the only thing that's getting more expensive for contractors

Apr 22, 2021
Everything that goes into a building project, from diesel fuel to plastics to gypsum for drywall, is getting more expensive.
Sharply rising prices for all kinds of raw materials are hurting residential and commercial builders alike.
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There are signs the economy may be improving

Oct 14, 2020
The modest increase in Producer Price Index numbers could be good inflation, considering.
Producer price hikes on items like chicken could raise the price you pay at the grocery store — but it could also not.
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