The Producer Price Index for final demand was unchanged in June, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices increased 0.3 percent in May and declined 0.3 percent in April. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the index for final demand rose 2.3 percent for the 12 months ended in June. In June, a 0.3-percent advance in prices for final demand goods offset a 0.1-percent decrease in the index for final demand services. Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services were unchanged in June after inching up 0.1 percent in May. For the 12 months ended in ... (full story)

A measure of wholesale prices showed no change in June, providing a conflicting sign over whether tariffs threaten to boost inflation in the coming months. The producer price index was flat, according to seasonally adjusted numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for an increase of 0.2%. The same was true for core PPI, which also was expected to show a 0.2% increase. Combined with Tuesday’s consumer price index release, the data suggests that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are indicating only a marginal bite on the U.S. economy and the prices ... (full story)