The Labor Department reported on Friday the U.S. producer-price index (PPI) edged up 0.2 percent m-o-m in June, following gains of 0.1 percent m-o-m in both June and May.

For the 12 months through July, the PPI rose 1.7 percent, the same pace as in the previous month.

Economists had forecast the headline PPI would increase 0.2 percent m-o-m and 1.7 percent over the past 12 months.

According to the report, the July rise in final demand prices was led by a 0.4-percent m-o-m advance in the index for final demand goods. Meanwhile, prices for final demand construction rose 0.6 percent m-o-m. In contrast, the index for final demand services edged down 0.1 percent m-o-m.

Excluding volatile prices for food and energy, the PPI fell 0.1 percent m-o-m and 2.1 percent over 12 months. Economists had forecast gains of 0.2 percent m-o-m and 2.4 percent y-o-y, respectively.