(202) 691-7705 This Release Is Embargoed — 2005-12-20

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods declined 0.7 percent in November, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This decrease followed a 0.7-percent rise in October and a 1.9-percent gain in September. Prices for finished goods other than foods and energy increased 0.1 percent, after decreasing 0.3 percent in the preceding month. At the earlier stages of processing, the index for intermediate goods fell 1.2 percent, following a 3.0-percent rise in the prior month. Crude goods prices moved down 1.2 percent, after advancing 6.7 percent in October. (See table A.) 2005 Jan. .1 -.5 -1.0 .7 4.1 .3 -2.0 Feb. .4 .6 1.8 -.1 4.7 .6 -1.0 Mar. .8 .6 3.3 .2 5.0 1.0 4.7 Apr.