September 2012 Producer Price Index — 2012-10-12

The Producer Price Index for finished goods rose 1.1 percent in September, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Prices for finished goods advanced 1.7 percent in August and moved up 0.3 percent in July. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods rose 1.5 percent in September, and the crude goods index advanced 2.8 percent. On an unadjusted basis, prices for finished goods climbed 2.1 percent for the 12 months ended September 2012, the largest rise since a 2.8-percent increase for the 12 months ended March 2012. (See table A.) In September, the rise in finished goods prices was led by the index for finished energy goods, which advanced 4.7 percent. Also contributing to higher finished goods prices, the index for finished consumer foods moved up 0.2 percent. Prices for finished goods less foods and energy were unchanged in September.