The Producer Price Index for final demand advanced 0.2 percent in February, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices rose 0.4 percent in January and were unchanged in December. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index increased 2.8 percent for the 12 months ended in February. In February, the rise in final demand prices is attributable to a 0.3-percent advance in the index for final demand services. In contrast, prices for final demand goods edged down 0.1 percent. The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services climbed 0.4 ... (full story)

U.S. producer prices increased slightly more than expected in February as a rise in the cost of services offset a decline in the price of goods. The Labor Department said on Wednesday its producer price index for final demand rose 0.2 percent last month after increasing 0.4 percent in January. That lifted the year-on-year increase in the PPI to 2.8 percent in February from 2.7 percent in January. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the PPI gaining 0.1 percent last month and increasing 2.8 percent from a year ago. A key gauge of underlying producer price pressures that excludes food, energy and trade services ... (full story)