(202) 691-7705 This Release Is Embargoed — 2001-12-13

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods decreased 0.6 percent in November, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This decline followed a 1.6-percent drop in October and a 0.4-percent gain in September. November prices for finished goods other than foods and energy rose 0.2 percent, after posting a 0.5-percent decrease in October. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by intermediate goods manufacturers fell 0.5 percent, following a 1.5-percent decline in the previous month. The crude goods index advanced 7.3 percent in November, after dropping 9.1 percent a month earlier. (See table A.) 2001 Jan. 1.1 .9 4.4 .5 4.8 .8 17.5 Feb. .1 .8 .4 -.3 4.0 -.2 -14.5 Mar. -.1 .9 -2.4 .1 3.0 -.3 -6.7 Apr.