Italian pipeline inflation continued to decline August, with the producer price index declining by an annual rate of 16.1 percent, compared to a 13.8 percent fall in July.

Producer prices rose by 0.7 percent month-over-month after recording no change in July. However, excluding energy, the PPI was only flat, reducing the yearly core inflation rate from 1.3 percent to 0.6 percent.

That takes leaves the RPI at 1 and the RPI-P at minus 13.

Deflation at the producer level suggests that Italian consumer price inflation could continue to ease, although the recent run-up in crude oil prices could complicate the fight against inflation in the Eurozone and elsewhere.

Italian inflation, as measured by the Eurozone's harmonised index of consumer prices, fell to an annual rate of 5.5 percent in August from 6.3 percent in July. With Italy suffering from slowing growth confidence indicators released earlier on Thursday all fell short of expectations Italian ministers have been highly critical of the European Central Bank's tightening programme.

A flash estimate of European consumer price inflation for September is due on Friday.

The producer price indices (PPI) measure transaction prices, exclusive of VAT, for goods from industrial activities sold on the Italian market. Construction is excluded. Changes in the index provide a guide to inflation from the point of view of the product's producer/manufacturer and, in contrast to the consumer price index (CPI), excludes VAT and other deductible taxed associated with turnover.

The PPI measures prices at the producer level before they are passed along to consumers. Since the producer price index measures prices of consumer goods and capital equipment, a portion of the inflation at the producer level gets passed through to the consumer price index (CPI).

Because the index of producer prices measures price changes at an early stage in the economic process, it can serve as an indicator of future inflation trends. The producer price index and its sub-indexes are often used in business contracts for the adjustment of recurring payments. They also are used to deflate other values of economic statistics like the production index. It should be noted that the PPI excludes construction.

The PPI provides a key measure of inflation alongside the consumer price indexes and GDP deflators. The output price indexes measure change in manufacturer' goods prices produced and often are referred to as factory gate prices. Input prices are not limited to just those materials used in the final product, but also include what is required by the company in its normal day-to-day operations.

The PPI is considered a precursor of both consumer price inflation and profits. If the prices paid to manufacturers increase, businesses are faced with either charging higher prices or they taking a cut in profits. The ability to pass along price increases depends on the strength and competitiveness of the marketplace.

The bond market rallies when the PPI decreases or posts only small increases, but bond prices fall when the PPI posts larger-than-expected gains. The equity market rallies with the bond market because low inflation promises low interest rates and is good for profits.