August 2013 Consumer and Producer Price Indices (incl. Forest Products)

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The seasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in August. The energy index declined 0.3 percent, due mostly to a sharp decline in the index for natural gas. The gasoline and electricity indexes also declined slightly, while the index for fuel oil rose.

The all items index increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months. The index for all items less food and energy has risen 1.8 percent over the last year; the 12-month change has remained in the range of 1.6 percent to 2.3 percent since June of 2011. The energy index declined 0.1 percent over the last 12 months.

The seasonally adjusted Producer Price Index for finished goods (PPI) rose 0.3 percent in August. Prices for finished goods were unchanged in July and increased 0.8 percent in June. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by producers of intermediate goods were unchanged in August, and the crude goods index fell 2.7 percent. On an unadjusted basis, prices for finished goods moved up 1.4 percent for the 12 months ended in August, the smallest advance since a 0.5 percent rise in April 2013. 

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All of the price indices we track rose in August (especially Softwood Lumber), with Wood Fiber and Pulp, Paper & Allied Products achieving new all-time highs. 

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The foregoing comments represent the general economic views and analysis of Delphi Advisors, and are provided solely for the purpose of information, instruction and discourse. They do not constitute a solicitation or recommendation regarding any investment.