(202) 691-7705 This Release Is Embargoed — 2001-09-14

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods increased 0.4 percent in August, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This index posted a 0.9-percent decline in July and fell 0.4 percent in June. The index for finished goods other than foods and energy decreased 0.1 percent in August, after rising 0.2 percent a month ago. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by intermediate goods producers declined 0.4 percent, following a 1.0-percent drop in July. August's crude goods index fell 2.3 percent, compared with a 5.3-percent decrease in July. (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. r.5 r.6 r1.1 r.3 3.7 r-.1 r.5 May r-.1 r-.6 r-.1 r.1 3.8 r0 r-2.5 June -.4 .1 -2.5 .1 2.5 -.1 -6.0 July -.9 -.6 -5.8 .2 1.5 -1.0 -5.3 Aug.