February 2013 Producer Price Index — 2013-03-14

The Producer Price Index for finished goods increased 0.7 percent in February, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Prices for finished goods moved up 0.2 percent in January and declined 0.3 percent in December. At the earlier stages of processing, the index for intermediate goods advanced 1.3 percent in February, and crude goods prices decreased 0.3 percent. On an unadjusted basis, the finished goods index moved up 1.7 percent for the 12 months ended February 2013, the largest 12-month increase since a 2.3-percent rise in October 2012. (See table A.) In February, the advance in finished goods prices was led by the index for finished energy goods, which rose 3.0 percent. Also contributing to the increase in finished goods prices, the index for finished goods less foods and energy moved up 0.2 percent. By contrast, prices for finished consumer foods fell 0.5 percent.