(202) 606-7705 This Release Is Embargoed — 1998-03-13

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods declined 0.1 percent in February, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This decline followed decreases of 0.7 percent in January and 0.2 percent in December. The index for finished goods other than foods and energy advanced 0.1 percent, after falling 0.1 percent a month ago. Prices received by producers of intermediate goods declined 0.2 percent, following a 0.6-percent drop in the prior month. The crude goods index fell 2.5 percent, after decreasing 4.5 percent in January. (See table A.) Among finished goods in February, the index for finished energy goods decreased 1.8 percent, following a 3.7-percent decline in the previous month. Prices for finished consumer foods and finished consumer goods other than foods and energy increased, after falling in the prior month. Prices for capital equipment declined at the same rate as in January. Table A.