The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.4 percent in October, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices advanced 0.4 percent in September and 0.2 percent in August. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index increased 2.8 percent for the 12 months ended in October, the largest rise since an advance of 2.8 percent for the 12 months ended February 2012. Within final demand in October, prices for final demand services rose 0.5 percent, and the index for final demand goods moved up 0.3 percent. Prices for final demand less foods, energy, ... (full story)

U.S. producer prices rose more than expected in October, driven by a surge in the cost of services, and there were also signs of steady increases in underlying wholesale inflation. The Labor Department on Tuesday said its producer price index for final demand increased 0.4 percent last month after a similar gain in September. In the 12 months through October, the PPI jumped 2.8 percent, which was the largest increase since February 2012. The PPI rose 2.6 percent year-on-year in September. Economists had forecast the PPI edging up 0.1 percent last month and increasing 2.4 percent from a year ago. Prices for services ... (full story)