The Producer Price Index (PPI) came gained 0.6% in March seasonally adjusted (SA) after rising 0.1% in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
The PPI in March beat the forecast range. The consensus forecast was looking for a gain of 0.4%, ranging from a low of 0.2% to a high of 0.5%.
| Prior | Consensus | Range | Actual | |
| PPI-FD – M/M | 0.1% | 0.4% | 0.2% – 0.5% | 0.6% |
| PPI-FD – Y/Y | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% – 2.1% | 2.2% |
| PPI-FD less food & energy – M/M | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.1% to 0.3% | 0.3% |
| PPI-FD less food & energy – Y/Y | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.0% – 2.7% | 2.4% |
| PPI-FD less food, energy & trade services – M/M | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% – 0.2% | 0.0% |
| PPI-FD less food, energy & trade services – Y/Y | 2.3% | 2.0% |
Final demand prices ticked up 0.1% in February and down 0.1% in January. On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index rose 2.2% for the 12 months ended in March, the largest 12-month rise since a 2.5-% gain in December 2018.
In March, more than 60% of the total gain in the PPI for final demand can be attributed to the 1.0% gain in prices for final demand goods. The index for final demand services moved up 0.3%.
The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services was unchanged in March following a 0.1% increase in February. For the 12 months ended in March, prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services rose 2.0%.
