December PPI Off 1.9%; Core Rate Up 0.2%

WASHINGTON — The U.S. December producer price index printed down 1.9% overall and core was up 0.2% for a 0.9% decline overall and a 4.3% jump in the core over the year. Core would have been up just 0.1% excluding motor vehicles.

Energy was at negative 9.3%, driving the overall index, and foods posted a 1.5% drop, both with broad-based declines in their components.

Core PPI was boosted by a 1.2% jump in cars, a 0.8% gain in light trucks, a 1.1% jump in pharmaceutical preparations, a 0.7% increase in soaps, a 0.8% rise in civilian aircraft, and a 0.8% increase in footware.

Intermediate PPI was off 4.2% and crude fell 5.3%.

— Market News International

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