The Labor
Department reported on Thursday the U.S. producer-price index (PPI) rose 0.3
percent m-o-m in August, following an unrevised 0.6 percent m-o-m advance in July.
For the 12
months through August, the PPI fell 0.2 percent after an unrevised 0.4 percent decrease
in the previous month.
Economists had
forecast the headline PPI would increase 0.2 percent m-o-m but drop 0.3 percent
over the past 12 months.
According to
the report, the August gain in the final demand index was led by a 0.5-percent
m-o-m climb in the index for final demand services. Meanwhile, prices for final
demand goods also increased, edging up 0.1 percent m-o-m.
Excluding
volatile prices for food and energy, the PPI rose 0.4 percent m-o-m and 0.6 percent
over 12 months. Economists had forecast gains of 0.2 percent m-o-m and 0.3
percent y-o-y.