Producer price index jumps 6.6% Y/Y in May, largest increase since at least 2010

The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.8 percent in May, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices rose 0.6 percent in April and 1.0 percent in March. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index advanced 6.6 percent for the 12 months ended in May, the largest increase since 12-month data were first calculated in November 2010.

Nearly 60 percent of the May increase in the index for final demand can be traced to a 1.5-percent rise in prices for final demand goods. The index for final demand services moved up 0.6 percent.

Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased 0.7 percent in May, the same as in April. For the 12 months ended in May, the index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services climbed 5.3 percent, the largest increase since 12-month data were first calculated in August 2014.

Final Demand

Final demand goods: Prices for final demand goods advanced 1.5 percent in May after rising 0.6 percent in April. Over 40 percent of the broad-based increase in May can be traced to the index for final demand goods less foods and energy, which moved up 1.1 percent. Prices for final demand foods and for final demand energy also advanced, 2.6 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively.

Product detail: Within the index for final demand goods in May, prices for nonferrous metals rose 6.9 percent. The indexes for beef and veal; diesel fuel; gasoline; hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds; and motor vehicles also advanced. In contrast, prices for fresh fruits and melons declined 1.9 percent. The indexes for primary basic organic chemicals and for asphalt also moved lower.

Final demand services: Prices for final demand services rose 0.6 percent in May, the fifth consecutive increase. Forty percent of the broad-based May advance can be traced to the index for final demand trade services, which moved up 0.7 percent. (Trade indexes measure changes in margins received by wholesalers and retailers.) Prices for final demand services less trade,transportation, and warehousing and for final demand transportation and warehousing services also rose, 0.2 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively.