Actual | Previous | Revised | |
---|---|---|---|
Month over Month | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% |
Year over Year | -6.3% | -5.4% |
Highlights
In the broader industrial landscape, producer prices remained virtually stable, adding only 0.1 percent to their previous modest gains in the previous months. The prices of products intended for foreign markets experienced a minor decrease by 0.2 percent, even though domestic prices increased by 0.2 percent. These figures emphasise a fall in pricing pressure, which is moderated by sector-specific increases, particularly in energy-related industries. Today's data reduce the RPI to minus 29 and the RPI-P to minus 10, showing overall economic activity falling sightly short of market expectations.
Definition
Description
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.