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Import prices rose more slowly in February. That could help bring down inflation.

Mar 15, 2024
The Labor Department reported that the price of imported goods rose 0.3% in February compared to 0.8% the month before.
Prices at the import level can affect prices that show up in other inflation data.
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Want to know where inflation's headed? Look to the producer price index

Feb 20, 2024
It's usually called a measure of wholesale prices, but it can also be a leading indicator that shows where consumer prices are headed.
The cost of hospital outpatient care was up more than 2% last month. Health care costs are included in both the PPI and PCE.
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What's the difference between the CPI and the PPI?

Jan 12, 2024
These measures of inflation track the prices consumers pay and the prices producers receive for their wares. But they don't always line up.
CPI and PPI measure different things, so the numbers don't always match up.
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Producer prices rose in July, but that's not all that concerning

Aug 11, 2023
Services prices helped push up the producer price index in July. But that increase likely isn't a lasting one.
An uptick in stock prices has led to an increase in management fees investment portfolios, which was a big portion of services inflation in July.
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CPI, PPI — what do the indexes really tell us about inflation?

May 11, 2023
Economists say the more measures, the better their predictions — even if they provide slightly different pictures of the economy.
The produce price index, which measures costs that businesses pay, tends to be more volatile than the consumer price index.
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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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For public good, not for profit.

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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