FOR DATA ONLY: (202) 606-7828 USDL 99-88 FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN (202) 606-7705 THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 606-5902 UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (E.D.T), FRIDAY, http://stats.bls.gov/ppihome.htm APRIL 9, 1999 Producer Price Indexes -- March 1999 The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods increased 0.2 percent in March, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This rise follows a 0.4-percent decline in February and a 0.5-percent increase in January. Prices received by producers of intermediate goods rose 0.3 percent, following a 0.5- percent drop in the prior month. The crude goods index advanced 1.0 percent, after a 3.4-percent decline in February. (See table A.) Table A. Monthly and annual percent changes in selected stage-of- processing price indexes, seasonally adjusted Finish ed goods Change in Except finished Inter- goods foods from 12 mediateCrude and months Month Total Foods Energy energy ago goods goods (unadj.) 1998 Mar. 0.0 -0.2 -2.2 0.5 -1.5 -0.3 -1.4 Apr. 0.2 0.4 -0.4 0.1 -0.9 0 1.3 May -0.1 -0.5 0.4 0.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.6 June -0.2 -0.1 -0.8 -0.1 -0.7 -0.3 -2.7 July 0.2 0.5 -0.1 0.2 -0.2 0 0.1 Aug. -0.3 -0.3 -1.9 0 -0.8 -0.3 -4.2 Sept. 0.2 0.2 -0.4 0.3 -0.9 -0.3 -1.8 Oct. 0.3 0.4 0.8 0.1 -0.7 -0.2 2.5 Nov. r-0.2 r-0.4 r-1.3 r0.1 r-0.6 -0.2 r-0.1 Dec. r0.3 r-0.1 r-2.2 1.0 -0.1 -0.5 r-4.7 1999 Jan. 0.5 1.6 1.8 -0.1 0.9 0.1 2.6 Feb. -0.4 -1.4 -1.0 0 0.5 -0.5 -3.4 Mar. 0.2 0.4 1.2 0 0.8 0.3 1.0 r=revised. Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because data for November 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. -2- Among finished goods, the indexes for finished consumer foods, finished energy goods, and finished consumer goods other than foods and energy turned up, after falling in February. Capital equipment prices showed no change in March, following a small increase a month ago. The index for finished goods other than foods and energy was unchanged for the second consecutive month. During the first quarter of 1999, the Finished Goods Price Index moved upward at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.5 percent, following a 1.5- percent rate of increase during the fourth quarter of 1998. The index for finished energy goods rose at an 8.6-percent annual rate from December to March, after falling at a 10.4-percent annual rate over the last three months of 1998. Finished consumer food prices rose at an annual rate of 2.7 percent from December 1998 to March 1999, following a 0.3-percent annual rate of decline during the fourth quarter of 1998. The index for finished consumer goods less foods and energy fell at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.3 percent, after an 8.0-percent rate of increase during the fourth quarter of 1998. Capital equipment prices turned down at a 0.3- percent rate of decrease during the first three months of 1999, following a 0.3-percent rise in the final quarter of 1998. Prices for finished goods other than foods and energy fell at a 0.3-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate, after rising at a 4.8-percent rate during the prior quarter. Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods rose 0.2 percent in March to stand at 131.2 (1982=100). From March 1998 to March 1999, the Finished Goods Price Index increased 0.8 percent. Over the past 12 months, prices for finished goods other than foods and energy rose 1.7 percent, prices for finished consumer foods advanced 0.9 percent, and the index for finished energy goods fell 3.8 percent. Prices received by domestic producers of intermediate goods fell 2.0 percent for the 12 months ended in March, and the index for crude goods dropped 10.0 percent during the same period. Table B. Monthly and annual percent changes in selected price indexes for intermediate goods and crude goods, seasonally adjusted Interm Crude ediate goods goods Change in intermedi Change in ate Exclud goods Excludicrude goods ing from ng from foods 12 months Energy foods 12 months and ago and ago Month Foods Energy energy (unadj.) Foods (unadj energy (unadj.) .) 1998 Mar. -1.3 -2.0 0.0 -1.8 -0.3 -2.9 -1.4 -7.6 Apr. -0.9 0.2 0 -1.6 0.3 4.5 -1.2 -7.0 May 0.3 0.2 -0.1 -1.5 -1.5 0 0.1 -9.0 June -0.6 -1.1 -0.1 -1.8 0.4 -8.0 -0.4 -8.9 July 0.4 0 -0.1 -1.6 -3.4 6.0 -1.5 -8.4 Aug. -0.4 -1.5 -0.1 -2.1 -1.1 -9.0 -2.8 -12.3 Sept. -0.9 -0.5 -0.3 -2.5 -0.9 -3.6 -1.2 -15.1 Oct. -0.4 1.0 -0.3 -2.5 3.2 5.5 -3.0 -16.6 Nov. r0.8 r-1.1 -0.2 -2.9 -0.6 r2.0 r-2.2 r-18.4 Dec. r-0.9 r-3.3 r-0.1 -3.1 -4.1 r-7.3 r-1.8 -17.6 1999 Jan. 1.1 1.8 -0.2 -2.4 5.1 0.6 0.2 -10.6 Feb. -2.0 -1.7 -0.2 -2.7 -2.8 -7.4 1.1 -12.2 Mar. -1.6 2.2 0.1 -2.0 -1.3 6.1 -0.8 -10.0 r=revised. Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because data for November 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. -3- Finished goods Prices for finished consumer foods turned up 0.4 percent in March, following a 1.4-percent decrease in the prior month. The fresh and dry vegetables index jumped 20.2 percent, after dropping 23.5 percent in the previous month. Prices for beef and veal, pork, and eggs for fresh use also turned up, after falling in February. The index for finfish and shellfish rose 9.4 percent (the largest monthly increase since an 11.9- percent advance in June 1986) compared with a 1.0-percent advance in the prior month. Prices for dairy products declined less than a month ago. By contrast, fresh fruit and melon prices fell 5.5 percent, following a 2.6- percent rise a month ago. The index for bakery products also turned down, after increasing a month earlier. Prices for processed fruits and vegetables rose less than a month ago. The index for finished energy goods increased 1.2 percent in March, following a 1.0-percent decrease in February. Gasoline price increases accelerated to 3.6 percent in March from a 0.2-percent rate of increase in the prior month. March was the third consecutive month with a gasoline price increase. The indexes for residential electric power, home heating oil, and finished lubricants turned up, after falling in the previous month. By contrast, residential natural gas prices fell more than a month ago. Prices for finished consumer goods other than foods and energy increased 0.1 percent in March, following a 0.1-percent decline a month ago. The sanitary papers and health products index advanced 1.3 percent, after decreasing 1.2 percent in the prior month. Prices for newspaper circulation and alcoholic beverages also turned up, after falling last month. The index for cosmetics and other toilet preparations rose, after showing no change in the previous month. By contrast, light motor truck prices fell 0.2 percent, following a 0.4-percent rise in February. The indexes for household appliances and women's apparel also turned down, after rising a month ago. Prescription drug prices rose less than a month earlier. Prices for capital equipment showed no change, after increasing 0.1 percent in February. Over the past 12 months, the capital equipment index edged down 0.1 percent. In March, rising prices for civilian aircraft, communication and related equipment, construction machinery and equipment, and heavy motor trucks offset falling prices for light motor trucks, electronic computers, and transformers and power regulators. Intermediate goods The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and Components increased 0.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, after registering a 0.5-percent decline in February. During the first quarter of 1999, this index fell at a 0.3-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate, after declining at a 3.5-percent rate during the prior quarter. In March, prices for intermediate energy goods and nondurable manufacturing materials also turned up, after falling in the previous month. The indexes for durable manufacturing materials and intermediate foods and feeds fell less than a month ago. The construction materials and components index rose more than in the prior month. Excluding foods and energy, the index for intermediate materials edged up 0.1 percent, following 10 consecutive monthly declines. (See table B.) The intermediate energy goods index increased 2.2 percent, after posting a 1.7-percent drop in February. This index increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 9.7 percent during the first quarter of 1999, following a 12.9-percent rate of decline for the previous three months. In March, residual fuel prices jumped 23.8 percent, after falling 19.9 percent in the previous month. The indexes for diesel fuel, jet fuels, and commercial electric power also advanced, following declines in the prior month. Gasoline prices rose faster than in the previous month. On the other hand, the index for natural gas to electric utilities turned down 6.9 percent in March, after advancing 0.8 percent last month. Commercial natural gas prices fell more than in the prior month. -4- Prices for nondurable manufacturing materials turned up 0.2 percent, following a 0.8-percent decline in February. This index declined at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.6 percent during the first quarter of 1999, after falling at a 5.0-percent rate for the previous quarter. In March, the paperboard index increased 4.6 percent, after falling 0.8 percent in the previous month. Prices for plastic resins and materials, basic inorganic chemicals, processed yarns and threads, and gray fabrics turned up, following declines in the prior month. By contrast, the index for primary basic organic chemicals turned down 2.5 percent, after rising 1.6 percent in February. Prices for inedible fats and oils fell faster than a month ago. The synthetic fibers index turned down, following an increase in the previous month. The durable manufacturing materials index decreased 0.2 percent in March, after posting a 0.5-percent decline in February. The March decline represents the seventh consecutive monthly decrease. From December 1998 to March 1999, this index declined at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.7 percent, following a 7.3-percent rate of decline for the previous quarter. In March, falling prices for steel mill products, primary aluminum, copper cathode and refined copper, aluminum mill shapes, silver, and prepared paint more than offset rising prices for flat glass, plywood, building paper and board, and hardwood lumber. Intermediate foods and feeds prices declined 1.6 percent, following a 2.0-percent decrease in February. During the first quarter of 1999, this index fell at a 9.8-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate, after falling at a 2.1-percent rate during the prior quarter. In March, declining prices for prepared animal feeds, crude vegetable oils, fluid milk products, and flour outweighed rising prices for beef and veal, refined sugar, pork, and confectionery materials. Prices for materials and components for construction increased 0.3 percent in March. This rise was the fourth consecutive increase in the index for construction materials. From December 1998 to March 1999, construction material prices increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.5 percent, after declining at a 1.4-percent rate during the final quarter of 1998. In March, price increases for softwood lumber, plywood, gypsum products, and millwork outweighed price declines for plastic construction products, nonferrous wire and cable, and wiring devices. Crude goods The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing advanced 1.0 percent in March, seasonally adjusted, after registering a 3.4- percent decline in February. During the first quarter of 1999, this index rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.4 percent, following a 9.3- percent rate of decline in the final quarter of 1998. In March, crude energy material prices increased, after decreasing a month ago. The crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs index fell less than a month earlier. On the other hand, prices for basic industrial materials declined, after advancing in the previous month. (See table B.) Crude energy material prices rose 6.1 percent, after posting a 7.4- percent decline in February. This index retreated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.4 percent from December 1998 to March 1999, following a 1.3-percent rate of decline from September 1998 to December 1998. In March, crude petroleum prices rose 27.1 percent, after dropping 13.8 percent in the prior month. March's increase for crude petroleum is the largest since a 29.7-percent rise in October 1990. The coal index increased, following a decline last month. Natural gas prices fell less than a month earlier. -5- Crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs prices decreased 1.3 percent in March, following a 2.8-percent decrease in February. During the most recent quarter, this index rose at a 3.3-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate, after falling at a 6.2-percent rate in the prior quarter. In March, slaughter cattle prices advanced 4.6 percent, following a 1.7-percent advance in the previous month. The indexes for fresh and dry vegetables and unprocessed finfish rose, after falling a month earlier. Prices for fluid milk decreased less than a month ago. By contrast, the index for slaughter broilers and fryers declined 5.4 percent, after registering a 2.4- percent advance in February. The fresh fruits and melons index also decreased, following an increase in the previous month. Prices for corn and slaughter hogs fell more than in the prior month. The basic industrial materials index declined 0.8 percent in March, after posting a 1.1-percent rise in February. From December 1998 though March 1999, this index rose at a 1.6-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate, following a 24.6-percent rate of decline in the final quarter of 1998. In March, the iron and steel scrap index decreased 4.4 percent, after a 2.9-percent advance a month earlier. Prices for copper ores and aluminum base scrap also fell, after rising in the previous month. Indexes for wastepaper and gold ores rose less than last month. Cattle hide prices fell more than in the prior month. By contrast, the raw cotton index advanced 2.5 percent, following a 5.1-percent drop in February. Copper base scrap prices also rose, after falling a month earlier. The indexes for softwood logs and leaf tobacco increased more than in the prior month. Net output price indexes for mining, manufacturing, and other industries Mining. The Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic mining industries advanced 4.0 percent in March, following a 4.5-percent decrease in February. (Net output price indexes are not seasonally adjusted.) During the first quarter of 1999, this index declined at an annual rate of 4.2 percent, after decreasing at a 2.4 percent rate in the final quarter of 1998. In March, prices for the crude petroleum and natural gas industry turned up 6.7 percent, after falling 7.0 percent in the prior month. The index for the bituminous coal and lignite mining industry also turned up, after decreasing in the previous month. Prices for the mining of non-metallic minerals, except fuels, industry group rose more rapidly in March than in February. Prices for the lead and zinc ores industry rose 8.6 percent, after falling 3.7 percent in February. By contrast, prices for the copper ores industry declined 5.0 percent, after rising 1.9 percent in the previous month. Price increases for the gold ores industry slowed. In March, the Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic mining industries stood at 64.6 percent (December 1984=100), 10.5 percent below its year-ago level. Manufacturing. The Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic manufacturing industries increased 0.2 percent in March, after falling a similar amount in February. From December 1998 through March 1999, this index increased at an annual rate of 1.3 percent, after falling at a 0.3-percent rate in the previous calendar quarter. In March, prices for the petroleum refining industry group rose 5.7 percent, after falling 4.6 percent in the prior month. Prices for the paper and allied products, measuring and controlling instruments, and electrical machinery and equipment industry groups also turned up, after falling or showing no change in the previous month. Price decreases slowed for the food and kindred products industry group. By contrast, the index for the transportation equipment industry group fell 0.2 percent, after declining 0.1 percent in February. In March, the Producer Price Index for the net output of the total domestic manufacturing industries stood at 126.2 (December 1984=100), 0.2 percent higher than its year-ago level. Other. Among other industries in March, increases were registered for operators and lessors of nonresidential buildings, hotels and motels, real estate agents and managers, property and casualty insurance, courier services (except by air), radio broadcasting, and travel agencies. By contrast, price declines occurred for scheduled air transportation, offices and clinics of doctors of medicine, line-haul railroad operations, trucking (except local), freight transportation arrangement, and prepackaged software. -6- ***** Producer Price Index data for April 1999 will be released on Thursday, May 13, 1999 at 8:30 a.m. (E.D.T.) ***** Information in this news release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-606-7828; TDD phone: 202-606- 5897; TDD Message Referral phone: 1-800-326-2577. Table 1. Producer price indexes and percent changes by stage of processing (1982=100) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | | |Unadjusted | | | | percent |Seasonally adjusted | Relative | Unadjusted index |change to |percent change from: Grouping |importance| |Mar. 1999 from:| | |_______________________|_______________|__________________________ | Dec. | | | | | | | | | Nov. |Feb. |Mar. | Mar. | Feb. |Dec. to|Jan. to |Feb. to | 1998 1/|1998 2/|1999 2/|1999 2/| 1998 | 1999 | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. _________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|________ | Finished goods...................................| 100.000 130.9 130.9 131.2 0.8 0.2 0.5 -0.4 0.2 Finished consumer goods........................| 74.764 129.0 129.2 129.6 1.2 .3 .8 -.6 .3 Finished consumer foods......................| 23.289 134.9 133.9 134.6 .9 .5 1.6 -1.4 .4 Crude......................................| 1.693 127.3 121.9 130.8 .5 7.3 7.5 -9.0 5.8 Processed..................................| 21.596 135.5 134.9 134.9 .9 0 1.2 -.8 0 Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....| 51.475 126.4 127.0 127.3 1.4 .2 .4 -.3 .3 Nondurable goods less foods................| 35.162 121.4 122.7 123.2 1.9 .4 .6 -.3 .5 Durable goods..............................| 16.313 134.4 133.4 133.1 -.1 -.2 -.3 -.1 -.2 Capital equipment..............................| 25.236 138.2 137.9 137.8 -.1 -.1 -.1 .1 0 Manufacturing industries.....................| 6.615 138.2 138.4 138.5 .4 .1 0 .1 .1 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 18.621 138.1 137.6 137.5 -.2 -.1 -.2 .1 0 | Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.| 100.000 121.8 120.5 120.8 -2.0 .2 .1 -.5 .3 Materials and components for manufacturing.....| 47.742 124.6 123.6 123.5 -2.8 -.1 -.1 -.6 0 Materials for food manufacturing.............| 3.626 125.5 122.4 121.1 .1 -1.1 1.3 -2.0 -1.0 Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......| 15.762 123.9 122.5 122.7 -4.6 .2 -.1 -.8 .2 Materials for durable manufacturing..........| 10.444 125.1 123.6 123.4 -4.9 -.2 -.6 -.5 -.2 Components for manufacturing.................| 17.910 125.8 125.7 125.7 -.2 0 -.1 -.1 0 Materials and components for construction......| 13.989 146.6 147.2 147.7 .7 .3 .1 .2 .3 Processed fuels and lubricants.................| 11.868 79.0 75.4 76.7 -3.6 1.7 1.6 -1.4 2.2 Manufacturing industries ....................| 4.597 83.7 80.7 81.8 -3.0 1.4 .8 -1.9 1.6 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 7.271 76.1 72.1 73.5 -4.2 1.9 2.0 -1.2 2.7 Containers.....................................| 3.880 139.4 137.8 138.0 -2.5 .1 -.1 -.6 .2 Supplies.......................................| 22.521 134.3 133.9 133.7 -1.3 -.1 -.1 -.2 -.1 Manufacturing industries.....................| 5.122 140.7 140.2 140.3 -.1 .1 -.3 -.1 .1 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 17.399 131.6 131.1 130.9 -1.7 -.2 -.2 -.3 -.2 Feeds......................................| 1.231 92.9 91.0 87.8 -18.0 -3.5 .5 -2.2 -3.5 Other supplies.............................| 16.168 136.3 136.0 136.1 -.1 .1 -.1 -.1 .1 | Crude materials for further processing...........| 100.000 93.6 87.9 89.5 -10.0 1.8 2.6 -3.4 1.0 Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................| 45.600 102.4 98.8 98.9 -7.0 .1 5.1 -2.8 -1.3 Nonfood materials..............................| 54.400 84.1 77.3 79.8 -12.3 3.2 .5 -4.0 3.1 Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............| 29.494 77.5 73.5 77.8 -11.1 5.9 3.9 -2.8 5.6 Manufacturing 3/...........................| 27.957 70.2 66.3 70.4 -11.4 6.2 4.1 -2.9 6.0 Construction...............................| 1.537 189.3 193.2 194.3 -4.1 .6 -.9 .2 .5 Crude fuel 4/................................| 24.906 86.4 76.3 76.2 -13.9 -.1 -3.7 -5.3 -.1 Manufacturing industries...................| 2.071 83.8 74.7 74.3 -14.4 -.5 -5.4 -3.6 -.5 Nonmanufacturing industries................| 22.835 88.2 77.8 77.7 -13.9 -.1 -3.4 -5.6 -.1 | Special groupings | | Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 76.711 129.6 129.9 130.1 .9 .2 .2 -.2 .2 Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 95.143 122.2 121.0 121.3 -1.9 .2 .1 -.4 .3 Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/ 4.857 115.5 112.7 110.9 -5.1 -1.6 1.1 -2.0 -1.6 Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 51.467 83.0 76.3 78.8 -12.5 3.3 .5 -4.0 3.3 | Finished energy goods............................|5/ 11.936 72.8 70.6 71.4 -3.8 1.1 1.8 -1.0 1.2 Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 88.064 142.1 142.7 142.8 1.5 .1 .4 -.3 .1 Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 62.828 143.6 144.6 144.8 2.1 .1 .6 -.5 .1 | Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 64.775 144.8 146.0 146.0 1.7 0 -.1 0 0 Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 39.539 149.1 151.5 151.4 2.9 -.1 -.1 -.1 .1 Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 23.226 160.3 165.5 165.7 5.2 .1 .2 -.1 .1 | Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 11.960 78.8 75.1 76.4 -3.8 1.7 1.8 -1.7 2.2 Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 88.040 131.4 130.7 130.7 -1.8 0 -.2 -.3 0 Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 83.183 132.4 131.9 132.0 -1.6 .1 -.2 -.2 .1 | Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 32.487 66.9 57.8 61.3 -11.9 6.1 .6 -7.4 6.1 Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 67.514 109.3 106.8 106.7 -9.0 -.1 3.5 -1.5 -1.1 Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 21.913 130.2 130.7 130.0 -12.9 -.5 .2 1.1 -.8 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1/ Comprehensive relative importance figures are initially computed 3/ Includes crude petroleum. after the publication of December indexes and are recalculated 4/ Excludes crude petroleum. after final December indexes are available. The first-published 5/ Percent of total finished goods. and final December relative importances initially appear, 6/ Percent of total intermediate materials. respectively, in the release tables containing January and May data. 7/ Formerly titled "Crude materials for 2/ The indexes for November 1998 have been recalculated to incorporate further processing, excluding crude late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes foodstuffs and feedstuffs, plant and are subject to revision 4 months after original publication. animal fibers, oilseeds, and leaf tobacco." 8/ Percent of total crude materials. Table 2. Producer price indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing (1982=100 unless otherwise indicated) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | | |Unadjusted | | | | percent |Seasonally adjusted | | Unadjusted index |change to |percent change from: Commodity | | |Mar. 1999 from:| code | Grouping |_______________________|_______________|________________________ | | | | | | | | | | |Nov. |Feb. |Mar. | Mar. | Feb. |Dec. to|Jan. to|Feb. to | |1998 1/|1999 1/|1999 1/| 1998 | 1999 | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. ___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ | | |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 130.9 130.9 131.2 0.8 0.2 0.5 -0.4 0.2 | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 129.0 129.2 129.6 1.2 .3 .8 -.6 .3 | FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 134.9 133.9 134.6 .9 .5 1.6 -1.4 .4 | | 01-11 | Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................| 87.4 106.3 100.5 16.5 -5.5 19.6 2.6 -5.5 01-13 | Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 124.5 95.2 114.4 -27.1 20.2 -9.8 -23.5 20.2 01-71-07 | Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100)..................| 100.2 83.5 89.5 -9.2 7.2 2.7 -9.7 4.0 02-11 | Bakery products 2/..................................| 176.4 178.1 177.3 1.3 -.4 .4 .4 -.4 02-13 | Milled rice 2/......................................| 128.0 128.5 126.8 2.3 -1.3 1.2 -.8 -1.3 02-14-02 | Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 122.8 123.1 122.5 .7 -.5 .2 .2 -.5 02-21-01 | Beef and veal.......................................| 99.7 99.9 102.7 4.4 2.8 5.7 -2.4 2.4 02-21-04 | Pork................................................| 84.0 86.1 87.6 -5.8 1.7 18.3 -6.3 1.0 02-22-03 | Processed young chickens............................| 126.7 114.6 113.9 -4.5 -.6 -1.9 -3.0 -.7 02-22-06 | Processed turkeys...................................| 102.4 85.4 87.3 -4.0 2.2 -7.0 -.4 1.3 02-23 | Finfish and shellfish...............................| 186.3 186.9 204.6 9.3 9.5 .8 1.0 9.4 02-3 | Dairy products......................................| 148.5 145.1 142.6 7.9 -1.7 3.4 -3.0 -1.4 02-4 | Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 126.3 127.2 127.5 1.8 .2 .1 .3 .2 02-55 | Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 169.1 170.1 169.4 .9 -.4 .5 -.5 -.4 02-62 | Soft drinks.........................................| 134.9 136.5 137.2 1.5 .5 -.8 .6 .6 02-63-01 | Roasted coffee 2/...................................| 136.9 136.9 136.8 -9.1 -.1 -1.3 0 -.1 02-78 | Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 143.5 139.7 137.6 -1.7 -1.5 -1.8 -4.0 -1.5 | | | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 126.4 127.0 127.3 1.4 .2 .4 -.3 .3 | | 02-61 | Alcoholic beverages.................................| 136.3 137.0 137.1 1.6 .1 .1 -.1 .1 03-81-01 | Women's apparel 2/..................................| 123.0 122.4 122.1 .2 -.2 .2 .1 -.2 03-81-02 | Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 133.2 133.5 133.0 .1 -.4 -.1 -.1 -.3 03-81-03 | Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 121.0 121.3 118.5 -3.2 -2.3 .1 -.5 -2.3 03-82 | Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 123.2 123.1 123.7 .5 .5 -.1 0 .5 04-3 | Footwear............................................| 144.7 145.9 145.6 .6 -.2 -.1 .3 -.2 05-41 | Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 108.3 107.3 107.3 -.9 0 .4 -.6 .2 05-51 | Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 113.5 115.3 112.3 -1.7 -2.6 1.0 -.5 -1.8 05-71 | Gasoline............................................| 49.8 44.8 47.0 -9.1 4.9 6.5 .2 3.6 05-73-02-01| Fuel oil No. 2......................................| 46.3 39.6 43.0 -13.5 8.6 6.4 -4.1 13.1 06-35 | Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription) 2/.....| 334.6 340.8 341.1 5.1 .1 1.4 .8 .1 06-36 | Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter) 2/..| 184.8 185.2 186.0 1.1 .4 .4 -.2 .4 06-71 | Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 125.2 125.4 125.5 -.6 .1 .2 0 .1 06-75 | Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 133.5 133.4 134.1 1.5 .5 -.4 0 .5 07-12 | Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................| 94.0 92.5 92.3 -2.3 -.2 -1.1 -.5 -.2 09-15-01 | Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 144.1 144.8 146.7 1.0 1.3 .8 -1.2 1.3 09-31-01 | Newspaper circulation 2/............................| 204.6 204.4 207.6 2.5 1.6 .9 -.1 1.6 09-32-01 | Periodical circulation..............................| 195.9 196.9 196.0 1.6 -.5 -.4 .2 -.3 09-33 | Book publishing 2/..................................| 212.1 211.7 211.3 4.2 -.2 1.4 -.6 -.2 12-1 | Household furniture 2/..............................| 149.2 149.9 150.1 1.6 .1 0 .3 .1 12-3 | Floor coverings 2/..................................| 128.3 127.2 128.0 -.5 .6 -.9 .1 .6 12-4 | Household appliances ...............................| 108.8 109.3 108.3 -.5 -.9 0 .5 -1.1 12-5 | Home electronic equipment 2/........................| 74.5 74.3 74.2 -3.4 -.1 .1 -.3 -.1 12-62 | Household glassware 2/..............................| 162.3 162.8 162.9 .1 .1 .2 -.4 .1 12-64 | Household flatware 2/...............................| 139.3 140.0 140.0 .7 0 .4 0 0 12-66 | Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 132.2 132.2 132.3 .6 .1 0 0 .1 14-11-01 | Passenger cars......................................| 135.6 132.0 131.1 -1.6 -.7 -1.2 -.3 -.5 15-11 | Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 124.1 124.2 124.1 -.2 -.1 .2 -.2 .2 15-12 | Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 126.2 126.5 126.4 .2 -.1 -.2 .4 -.1 15-2 | Tobacco products 2/.................................| 288.8 363.0 363.5 38.7 .1 -.2 0 .1 15-5 | Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 155.7 156.5 156.7 2.4 .1 .6 .5 .1 15-94-02 | Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 128.6 127.7 127.7 -.1 0 .2 -.9 0 15-94-04 | Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 139.7 140.0 139.9 .3 -.1 .3 -.1 -.1 | | | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 138.2 137.9 137.8 -.1 -.1 -.1 .1 0 | | 11-1 | Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 150.8 150.0 150.2 -.1 .1 .2 .1 .1 11-2 | Construction machinery and equipment................| 145.3 146.5 146.7 1.2 .1 -.3 .1 .3 11-37 | Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 160.2 160.4 160.5 .4 .1 0 .1 .1 11-38 | Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 158.4 159.3 159.4 1.3 .1 .4 .1 .1 11-39 | Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 139.0 139.1 139.2 .3 .1 0 .1 .1 11-41 | Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 149.5 151.1 151.4 1.8 .2 .2 .3 .1 11-44 | Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 131.8 132.4 132.6 1.4 .2 .2 .2 .2 11-51 | Electronic computers (Dec. 1990=100) 2/.............| 22.3 20.7 20.5 -23.5 -1.0 -4.5 -1.4 -1.0 11-62 | Textile machinery 2/................................| 153.0 154.0 154.3 .8 .2 .1 .7 .2 11-64 | Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100)..........| 160.9 161.4 161.8 1.5 .2 .2 -.8 .2 11-65 | Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 140.4 141.0 141.0 1.1 0 .1 -.8 0 11-74 | Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 131.0 131.3 130.5 .4 -.6 .1 -.1 -.6 11-76 | Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100) 2/...| 113.7 114.1 114.2 -.3 .1 .1 .5 .1 11-79-05 | X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 106.2 105.9 106.1 -1.2 .2 .1 -.1 .2 11-91 | Oil field and gas field machinery ..................| 126.3 126.5 126.5 .6 0 -.6 .2 .1 11-92 | Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 142.3 143.2 143.6 .6 .3 .5 .1 .3 11-93 | Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 112.3 112.0 112.0 -.4 0 -.3 .1 0 12-2 | Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 155.4 156.2 156.3 .7 .1 .2 .4 .1 14-11-05 | Light motor trucks..................................| 159.3 158.8 158.1 1.3 -.4 .1 .4 -.2 14-11-06 | Heavy motor trucks 2/...............................| 145.0 145.8 146.1 3.6 .2 0 .1 .2 14-14 | Truck trailers 2/...................................| 135.3 135.1 135.2 .1 .1 -.1 -.1 .1 14-21-02 | Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 150.5 151.0 151.1 .7 .1 .2 0 .2 14-31 | Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 145.8 145.8 145.8 .1 0 0 0 0 14-4 | Railroad equipment..................................| 134.3 135.3 134.6 .1 -.5 .7 .1 -.1 | | |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 121.8 120.5 120.8 -2.0 .2 .1 -.5 .3 | | | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 115.5 112.7 110.9 -5.1 -1.6 1.1 -2.0 -1.6 | | 02-12-03 | Flour 2/............................................| 110.4 106.2 104.6 -8.4 -1.5 -.3 -.6 -1.5 02-53 | Refined sugar 2/....................................| 120.3 120.2 122.6 1.6 2.0 -1.0 1.4 2.0 02-54 | Confectionery materials.............................| 92.9 93.0 93.5 -3.1 .5 1.6 -.5 .2 02-72 | Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................| 130.9 112.0 95.1 -29.5 -15.1 1.8 -9.5 -15.1 02-9 | Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 101.6 99.9 97.1 -14.7 -2.8 .3 -1.7 -2.8 | | | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 122.2 121.0 121.3 -1.9 .2 .1 -.4 .3 | | 03-1 | Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 107.2 105.0 104.5 -5.8 -.5 -2.1 .1 -.5 03-2 | Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 111.3 108.1 108.7 -4.1 .6 -.9 -1.8 .6 03-3 | Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 118.9 116.8 117.7 -4.3 .8 -1.0 -.8 .8 03-4 | Finished fabrics....................................| 122.7 122.5 122.4 -1.7 -.1 -.3 -.2 0 03-83-03 | Industrial textile products 2/......................| 130.4 129.2 128.9 -1.0 -.2 -1.3 0 -.2 04-2 | Leather.............................................| 177.1 173.1 174.1 -2.7 .6 -2.8 0 .4 05-32 | Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................| 55.2 49.5 53.1 -19.5 7.3 -3.5 -1.6 7.3 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ See footnotes at end of table. Table 2. Producer price indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - Continued (1982=100 unless otherwise indicated) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | | |Unadjusted | | | | percent |Seasonally adjusted | | Unadjusted index |change to |percent change from: Commodity | | |Mar. 1999 from:| code | Grouping |_______________________|_______________|________________________ | | | | | | | | | | |Nov. |Feb. |Mar. | Mar. | Feb. |Dec. to|Jan. to|Feb. to | |1998 1/|1999 1/|1999 1/| 1998 | 1999 | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. ___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ | | | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS | | -Continued..........................................| 05-42 | Commercial electric power...........................| 127.1 126.2 126.2 0.4 0 0.2 -0.3 0.4 05-43 | Industrial electric power...........................| 127.6 126.6 126.5 -.2 -.1 .1 -.5 -.1 05-52 | Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 108.1 109.2 105.4 -2.5 -3.5 .7 -1.0 -1.6 05-53 | Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 105.1 101.3 99.1 -7.0 -2.2 .6 -2.9 -.2 05-54 | Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100)...| 81.9 80.9 74.3 -14.4 -8.2 -.8 .8 -6.9 05-72-03 | Jet fuels...........................................| 46.2 36.1 38.0 -19.5 5.3 7.5 -2.7 9.9 05-73-03 | No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................| 46.1 37.0 42.6 -10.5 15.1 4.2 -3.3 16.4 05-74 | Residual fuel 2/....................................| 39.0 28.2 34.9 -18.1 23.8 -3.0 -19.9 23.8 06-1 | Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 119.4 118.0 117.4 -4.6 -.5 -.8 -.8 -.5 06-21 | Prepared paint......................................| 156.0 157.1 157.0 1.6 -.1 .1 .2 -.3 06-22 | Paint materials 2/..................................| 143.7 142.9 143.1 -.4 .1 -.1 -1.1 .1 06-31 | Medicinal and botanical chemicals ..................| 135.2 138.8 138.6 2.5 -.1 2.9 -1.6 .2 06-4 | Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................| 111.0 98.9 78.0 -32.4 -21.1 0 -10.5 -21.1 06-51 | Mixed fertilizers...................................| 114.0 114.0 114.5 -2.0 .4 -.3 -.5 0 06-52-01 | Nitrogenates........................................| 98.4 96.1 97.2 -14.9 1.1 -1.9 -.2 .3 06-52-02 | Phosphates 2/.......................................| 115.6 114.3 114.3 3.5 0 -.6 1.3 0 06-53 | Other agricultural chemicals........................| 146.2 145.5 146.4 -2.5 .6 -2.7 .1 .8 06-6 | Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 117.1 115.1 117.2 -10.5 1.8 -.4 -.3 1.8 07-11-02 | Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 115.8 115.5 115.8 -1.6 .3 -.2 0 .3 07-21 | Plastic construction products ......................| 125.1 124.9 124.1 -2.5 -.6 .2 .3 -.6 07-22 | Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes 2/..| 126.3 124.9 125.0 -2.7 .1 -.3 -1.0 .1 07-26 | Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 117.1 117.2 117.0 -.3 -.2 0 .1 -.2 08-11 | Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 170.3 186.8 193.7 0 3.7 4.1 3.0 3.7 08-12 | Hardwood lumber ....................................| 177.0 175.0 176.5 -1.8 .9 -.3 -1.0 .7 08-2 | Millwork 2/.........................................| 171.5 171.9 172.2 .8 .2 0 .2 .2 08-3 | Plywood 2/..........................................| 160.9 168.9 172.7 14.1 2.2 .1 4.4 2.2 09-11 | Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 116.1 113.0 110.2 -12.8 -2.5 3.3 -2.7 -2.5 09-13 | Paper...............................................| 142.6 141.1 139.8 -5.3 -.9 -.6 -.6 -.6 09-14 | Paperboard..........................................| 144.7 141.7 146.6 -6.0 3.5 .6 -.8 4.6 09-15-03 | Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 153.0 150.2 150.6 -3.2 .3 -.1 -.5 .3 09-2 | Building paper and board 2/.........................| 131.3 131.9 137.1 6.9 3.9 .3 .8 3.9 09-37 | Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 152.8 152.1 152.3 .8 .1 -.5 .1 .1 10-15 | Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 134.9 135.0 135.0 0 0 -.1 -.3 -.1 10-17 | Steel mill products 2/..............................| 110.2 106.6 105.5 -8.7 -1.0 -1.5 -1.2 -1.0 10-22 | Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 100.6 96.1 94.1 -15.5 -2.1 .8 -3.5 -2.1 10-25-01 | Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 138.0 134.5 134.2 -7.6 -.2 -.8 -1.1 -.2 10-25-02 | Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 149.0 145.3 143.2 -9.0 -1.4 -.7 -.6 -1.4 10-26 | Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 138.3 134.7 134.0 -6.0 -.5 -.2 -1.0 -.5 10-3 | Metal containers 2/.................................| 107.2 107.0 107.0 -2.1 0 0 -1.5 0 10-4 | Hardware............................................| 147.2 147.2 147.3 .3 .1 .1 -.3 -.1 10-5 | Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 174.5 174.0 176.1 .2 1.2 .5 -1.5 .9 10-6 | Heating equipment...................................| 153.5 153.4 153.1 0 -.2 -.3 -.1 -.1 10-7 | Fabricated structural metal products................| 143.1 142.6 142.7 .8 .1 -.3 -.1 0 10-88 | Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 130.5 130.6 130.9 .8 .2 .3 -.1 .2 10-89 | Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 125.8 125.8 125.4 -.8 -.3 -.1 -.2 -.3 11-45 | Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 158.4 160.3 160.6 2.2 .2 -.2 .3 .3 11-48 | Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 135.9 136.1 136.1 2.2 0 -.1 -.1 0 11-49-02 | Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100) 2/.....| 158.6 159.9 160.4 3.0 .3 .4 .1 .3 11-49-05 | Ball and roller bearings............................| 165.7 166.3 166.3 .8 0 -.6 .1 .1 11-71 | Wiring devices......................................| 152.4 152.1 151.4 -2.2 -.5 .4 -1.0 -.5 11-73 | Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 146.1 146.3 146.4 .7 .1 .1 0 .1 11-75 | Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 150.0 150.0 149.8 1.3 -.1 0 .1 -.2 11-78 | Electronic components and accessories 2/............| 99.2 98.9 98.9 -1.8 0 -.3 -.3 0 11-94 | Internal combustion engines.........................| 141.1 143.1 142.6 1.6 -.3 .7 .6 -.3 11-95 | Machine shop products 2/............................| 136.8 136.8 136.8 .7 0 .1 0 0 13-11 | Flat glass 2/.......................................| 106.9 104.4 106.9 -.1 2.4 -2.3 0 2.4 13-22 | Cement..............................................| 148.0 149.0 149.3 5.7 .2 .5 .1 .6 13-3 | Concrete products...................................| 141.4 142.6 142.7 3.7 .1 .4 .3 -.1 13-6 | Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................| 100.1 98.6 98.3 -.1 -.3 -.1 -1.5 -.3 13-7 | Gypsum products 2/..................................| 182.9 191.2 195.0 12.5 2.0 1.1 2.9 2.0 13-8 | Glass containers 2/.................................| 126.0 125.8 125.9 0 .1 .5 -.6 .1 14-12 | Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 114.6 113.7 113.8 -1.0 .1 -.4 0 .1 14-23 | Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 138.1 139.6 139.8 1.9 .1 -.9 .9 -.2 14-25 | Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 144.4 143.5 144.0 1.5 .3 .3 -.2 .3 15-42 | Photographic supplies 2/............................| 129.0 125.1 125.1 -3.0 0 0 -3.0 0 15-6 | Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 144.0 143.7 144.6 .8 .6 -.2 -.3 .6 | | | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 93.6 87.9 89.5 -10.0 1.8 2.6 -3.4 1.0 | | | CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 102.4 98.8 98.9 -7.0 .1 5.1 -2.8 -1.3 | | 01-21 | Wheat 2/............................................| 89.9 83.0 79.6 -18.4 -4.1 .9 -4.3 -4.1 01-22-02-05| Corn................................................| 84.1 84.5 84.7 -22.4 .2 -3.6 -1.3 -7.2 01-31 | Slaughter cattle 2/.................................| 91.2 93.1 97.4 2.4 4.6 6.8 1.7 4.6 01-32 | Slaughter hogs......................................| 30.2 46.4 44.8 -21.0 -3.4 188.6 -1.2 -6.4 01-41-02 | Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 157.2 136.0 132.1 -1.9 -2.9 -5.6 2.4 -5.4 01-42 | Slaughter turkeys...................................| 138.1 97.0 103.9 8.6 7.1 -3.5 1.1 2.4 01-6 | Fluid milk..........................................| 130.5 117.2 110.2 7.0 -6.0 -.8 -8.3 -5.4 01-83-01-31| Soybeans 2/.........................................| 96.0 84.0 78.5 -30.7 -6.5 -1.0 -8.5 -6.5 02-52-01-01| Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 116.4 118.7 118.4 2.2 -.3 .9 -.3 -.3 | | | CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................| 84.1 77.3 79.8 -12.3 3.2 .5 -4.0 3.1 | | 01-51-01-01| Raw cotton..........................................| 112.3 91.7 97.4 -11.5 6.2 -4.3 -5.1 2.5 01-92-01-01| Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................| 112.0 112.6 114.6 7.4 1.8 -.2 .2 1.8 04-11 | Cattle hides 2/.....................................| 133.1 142.9 132.8 -8.9 -7.1 .3 -.6 -7.1 05-1 | Coal 2/.............................................| 94.2 90.2 92.4 -1.2 2.4 2.8 -4.8 2.4 05-31 | Natural gas 2/......................................| 83.1 71.0 69.8 -19.2 -1.7 -7.0 -5.0 -1.7 05-61 | Crude petroleum 2/..................................| 32.7 26.2 33.3 -7.0 27.1 16.5 -13.8 27.1 08-5 | Logs, timber, etc...................................| 199.4 202.1 202.4 -6.7 .1 -1.2 -.5 .1 09-12 | Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 117.3 139.6 142.7 -12.1 2.2 5.8 13.3 2.2 10-11 | Iron ore 2/.........................................| 95.6 94.9 95.2 0 .3 -.8 0 .3 10-12 | Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 119.2 129.8 124.1 -33.4 -4.4 6.2 2.9 -4.4 10-21 | Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............| 63.8 61.5 60.9 -10.8 -1.0 -1.3 2.0 -1.0 10-23-01 | Copper base scrap 2/................................| 106.6 90.6 98.9 -20.0 9.2 -5.7 -4.4 9.2 10-23-02 | Aluminum base scrap.................................| 145.5 146.1 145.8 -19.7 -.2 -2.7 .6 -.8 13-21 | Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 153.7 154.9 155.9 3.1 .6 -.4 .6 .5 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1/ The indexes for November 1998 have been recalculated to incorporate 2/ Not seasonally adjusted. late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes are 3/ Not available. subject to revision 4 months after original publication. Table 3. Producer price indexes for selected commodity groupings (1982=100 unless otherwise indicated) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ | | | | | Unadjusted index 1/ | Commodity| |___________________________________| code | Grouping | Nov. 1998 | Feb. 1999 |March 1999 | _________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________| | | | | | | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................| 367.4 | 367.4 | 368.3 | | All commodities................................| 123.6 | 122.4 | 122.8 | | | | | | | | | | | | MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS | | | | | | | | | | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....| 122.5 | 120.2 | 120.3 | 01 | Farm products................................| 103.1 | 98.6 | 99.1 | 02 | Processed foods and feeds....................| 132.0 | 130.9 | 130.8 | | | | | | | Industrial commodities.........................| 123.8 | 122.8 | 123.3 | 03 | Textile products and apparel.................| 122.2 | 121.3 | 121.1 | 04 | Hides, skins, leather, and related products..| 144.9 | 145.9 | 144.6 | 05 | Fuels and related products and power 2/......| 73.2 | 68.8 | 70.4 | 06 | Chemicals and allied products 2/.............| 143.0 | 142.7 | 142.8 | 07 | Rubber and plastic products..................| 122.2 | 121.7 | 121.7 | 08 | Lumber and wood products.....................| 175.2 | 179.8 | 181.9 | 09 | Pulp, paper, and allied products.............| 170.6 | 170.7 | 171.2 | 10 | Metals and metal products....................| 124.8 | 123.6 | 123.0 | 11 | Machinery and equipment......................| 124.6 | 124.7 | 124.7 | 12 | Furniture and household durables.............| 131.3 | 131.6 | 131.6 | 13 | Nonmetallic mineral products.................| 136.5 | 137.2 | 137.8 | 14 | Transportation equipment.....................| 142.8 | 142.0 | 141.8 | 15 | Miscellaneous products.......................| 156.4 | 165.3 | 165.6 | | | | | | | Industrial commodities less fuels and related | | | | | products and power...........................| 138.4 | 138.6 | 138.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS | | | | | | | | | 01-1 | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables, | | | | | and tree nuts................................| 110.8 | 110.6 | 114.8 | 01-2 | Grains.........................................| 88.5 | 86.4 | 84.9 | 01-3 | Slaughter livestock............................| 74.9 | 81.0 | 83.6 | 01-4 | Slaughter poultry..............................| 151.4 | 126.4 | 124.8 | 01-5 | Plant and animal fibers........................| 110.9 | 90.8 | 96.3 | 01-7 | Chicken eggs...................................| 124.6 | 98.2 | 104.9 | 01-8 | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................| 117.8 | 103.5 | 102.2 | 01-83 | Oilseeds.......................................| 108.8 | 93.0 | 91.3 | 01-9 | Other farm products............................| 167.0 | 167.9 | 171.0 | 02-1 | Cereal and bakery products.....................| 157.8 | 158.1 | 157.1 | 02-2 | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................| 111.2 | 109.4 | 112.2 | 02-22 | Processed poultry..............................| 123.4 | 113.0 | 113.6 | 02-5 | Sugar and confectionery........................| 134.4 | 135.0 | 135.2 | 02-6 | Beverages and beverage materials...............| 137.2 | 138.1 | 138.4 | 02-63 | Packaged beverage materials....................| 134.7 | 134.6 | 134.5 | 02-7 | Fats and oils..................................| 144.2 | 132.0 | 123.8 | 03-81 | Apparel........................................| 126.9 | 126.8 | 126.3 | 04-4 | Other leather and related products.............| 144.8 | 145.3 | 145.4 | 05-3 | Gas fuels 2/...................................| 74.8 | 64.5 | 64.6 | 05-4 | Electric power.................................| 127.0 | 126.0 | 126.0 | 05-7 | Refined petroleum products.....................| 48.8 | 42.5 | 45.7 | 06-3 | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................| 248.5 | 252.8 | 252.8 | 06-5 | Agricultural chemicals and products............| 126.3 | 125.1 | 125.8 | 06-7 | Other chemicals and allied products............| 135.0 | 134.7 | 134.9 | 07-1 | Rubber and rubber products.....................| 115.1 | 114.4 | 114.3 | 07-11 | Rubber, except natural rubber..................| 115.2 | 114.9 | 115.2 | 07-13 | Miscellaneous rubber products..................| 138.7 | 138.7 | 138.3 | 07-2 | Plastic products...............................| 128.8 | 128.3 | 128.4 | 08-1 | Lumber.........................................| 170.4 | 181.2 | 186.4 | 09-1 | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building | | | | | paper and board..............................| 143.6 | 142.7 | 143.3 | 09-15 | Converted paper and paperboard products........| 150.7 | 149.5 | 150.2 | 10-1 | Iron and steel.................................| 115.6 | 114.0 | 112.8 | 10-2 | Nonferrous metals..............................| 118.1 | 115.5 | 114.6 | 10-25 | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................| 132.9 | 129.8 | 129.0 | 11-3 | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........| 147.5 | 147.7 | 147.9 | 11-4 | General purpose machinery and equipment........| 148.1 | 149.1 | 149.1 | 11-6 | Special industry machinery.....................| 160.0 | 160.6 | 160.9 | 11-7 | Electrical machinery and equipment.............| 120.6 | 120.6 | 120.6 | 11-9 | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........| 132.3 | 133.0 | 133.0 | 12-6 | Other household durable goods..................| 151.7 | 151.9 | 152.2 | 13-2 | Concrete ingredients...........................| 149.0 | 150.2 | 150.9 | 14-1 | Motor vehicles and equipment...................| 133.6 | 132.0 | 131.6 | 15-1 | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........| 132.4 | 132.7 | 132.7 | 15-4 | Photographic equipment and supplies............| 114.3 | 110.6 | 111.4 | 15-9 | Other miscellaneous products...................| 134.6 | 135.0 | 135.0 | __________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________| 1/ Data for November 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. All data are subject to revision 4 months after original publication. 2/ Prices of some items in this grouping are lagged 1 month. Table 4. Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | | | Index | Percent change Industry | Industry 1/ |Index|_______________________|to_Mar._1999_from: code | |base | | | | | | | |Nov. |Feb. |Mar. | Mar. | Feb. | | |1998 2/|1999 2/|1999 2/| 1998 | 1999 __________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|_________ | | | |Total mining industries...................... |12/84| 68.9 62.1 64.6 -10.5 4.0 10 | Metal mining................................ |12/84| 71.0 69.1 68.9 -7.6 -.3 12 | Coal mining................................. |12/85| 89.6 87.1 88.7 -1.1 1.8 13 | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85| 65.9 57.3 60.3 -14.1 5.2 14 | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic | | | minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 132.8 133.1 133.7 1.8 .5 | | | |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 126.2 126.0 126.2 .2 .2 20 | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 126.6 125.9 125.5 0 -.3 21 | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 248.4 315.9 315.8 41.2 0 22 | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 117.8 116.8 116.8 -2.0 0 23 | Apparel and other finished products made | | | from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 125.0 125.1 125.0 .4 -.1 24 | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 155.2 158.3 160.1 1.2 1.1 25 | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 140.0 140.6 140.8 1.0 .1 26 | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 134.0 132.8 133.2 -3.1 .3 27 | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 175.2 176.3 176.5 2.0 .1 28 | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 148.1 148.1 148.1 -.7 0 29 | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84| 63.3 56.1 59.3 -9.6 5.7 30 | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 121.7 121.2 121.2 -1.1 0 31 | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 136.5 136.6 136.8 -.4 .1 32 | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 130.3 131.1 131.7 3.0 .5 33 | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 118.0 115.4 114.9 -6.4 -.4 34 | Fabricated metal products, except machinery | | | and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 128.8 128.8 128.8 .2 0 35 | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 117.4 117.5 117.5 -.3 0 36 | Electrical and electronic machinery, | | | equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 110.1 109.8 109.9 -.7 .1 37 | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 135.4 134.6 134.3 .3 -.2 38 | Measuring and controlling instruments; | | | photographic, medical, optical goods; | | | watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 126.1 126.0 126.4 .2 .3 39 | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 129.7 130.1 130.3 .5 .2 | | | |Services industries | | 40 | Railroad transportation..................... |12/96| 101.5 101.0 100.8 -.8 -.2 42 | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 112.5 113.4 113.9 2.9 .4 43 | United states postal service................ |06/89| 132.3 135.4 135.4 2.3 0 44 | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 107.3 105.0 105.9 3.5 .9 45 | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 126.1 128.6 128.5 3.9 -.1 46 | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 99.2 98.2 98.2 -1.1 0 80 | Health services............................. |12/94| 108.3 109.2 109.2 1.8 0 81 | Legal services.............................. |12/96| 106.5 107.6 107.7 1.7 .1 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1/ Indexes in this table are derived from the net-output-weighted industry price indexes. Because of differences in coverage and aggregation methodology, they will generally not match the movements of similarly-titled indexes which are derived from traditional commodity groupings. 2/ The indexes for November 1998 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes are subject to revision 4 months after original publication. 3/ Not available. Table 5. Producer price indexes by stage of processing, seasonally adjusted (1982=100) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | | Index 1/ |____________________________________________________ Grouping | | | | | | | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | 1998 | 1998 | 1998 | 1999 | 1999 | 1999 _______________________________________________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______ Finished goods...................................| 131.0 130.7 131.1 131.8 131.3 131.6 Finished consumer goods........................| 129.3 128.9 129.5 130.5 129.7 130.1 Finished consumer foods......................| 135.0 134.5 134.3 136.5 134.6 135.2 Crude......................................| 133.5 126.6 128.5 138.2 125.7 133.0 Processed..................................| 135.0 135.1 134.8 136.4 135.3 135.3 Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....| 126.7 126.3 127.3 127.8 127.4 127.8 Nondurable goods less foods................| 122.3 121.7 123.2 124.0 123.6 124.2 Durable goods..............................| 133.4 133.5 133.3 132.9 132.8 132.6 Capital equipment..............................| 137.7 137.8 137.7 137.5 137.6 137.6 Manufacturing industries.....................| 138.0 138.1 138.1 138.1 138.3 138.4 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 137.5 137.6 137.4 137.1 137.2 137.2 | Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.| 122.2 121.9 121.3 121.4 120.8 121.2 Materials and components for manufacturing.....| 125.0 124.6 124.3 124.2 123.5 123.5 Materials for food manufacturing.............| 124.8 125.0 123.7 125.3 122.8 121.6 Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......| 124.3 123.8 123.5 123.4 122.4 122.7 Materials for durable manufacturing..........| 126.0 125.2 124.8 124.1 123.5 123.3 Components for manufacturing.................| 125.9 125.9 125.8 125.7 125.6 125.6 Materials and components for construction......| 146.8 146.7 146.8 147.0 147.3 147.7 Processed fuels and lubricants.................| 80.5 79.5 77.0 78.2 77.1 78.8 Manufacturing industries ....................| 85.4 84.6 83.2 83.9 82.3 83.6 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 77.4 76.4 73.3 74.8 73.9 75.9 Containers.....................................| 139.4 139.2 138.6 138.5 137.7 138.0 Supplies.......................................| 134.2 134.4 134.3 134.1 133.8 133.6 Manufacturing industries.....................| 140.7 140.7 140.7 140.3 140.2 140.3 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 131.4 131.6 131.6 131.4 131.0 130.8 Feeds......................................| 90.4 92.9 92.5 93.0 91.0 87.8 Other supplies.............................| 136.3 136.3 136.3 136.1 135.9 136.0 | Crude materials for further processing...........| 93.9 93.8 89.4 91.7 88.6 89.5 Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................| 103.2 102.6 98.4 103.4 100.5 99.2 Nonfood materials..............................| 84.1 84.3 80.0 80.4 77.2 79.6 Nonfood materials except fuel 2/.............| 80.8 77.9 72.7 75.5 73.4 77.5 Manufacturing 2/...........................| 73.2 70.5 65.5 68.2 66.2 70.2 Construction...............................| 192.5 192.1 192.4 190.6 190.9 191.9 Crude fuel 3/................................| 81.9 86.4 83.7 80.6 76.3 76.2 Manufacturing industries...................| 80.0 83.8 81.9 77.5 74.7 74.3 Nonmanufacturing industries................| 83.6 88.2 85.3 82.4 77.8 77.7 | Special groupings | | Finished goods, excluding foods..................| 129.7 129.5 130.1 130.4 130.2 130.4 Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......| 122.7 122.3 121.7 121.8 121.3 121.7 Intermediate foods and feeds.....................| 114.2 115.1 114.1 115.3 113.0 111.2 Crude materials less agricultural products 2/....| 82.9 83.1 78.9 79.3 76.1 78.6 | Finished energy goods............................| 74.2 73.2 71.6 72.9 72.2 73.1 Finished goods less energy.......................| 141.7 141.7 142.7 143.2 142.7 142.8 Finished consumer goods less energy..............| 143.3 143.2 144.6 145.5 144.7 144.9 | Finished goods less foods and energy.............| 144.3 144.4 145.8 145.7 145.7 145.7 Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....| 148.7 148.7 151.3 151.2 151.1 151.2 Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..| 160.4 160.4 165.3 165.6 165.4 165.6 | Intermediate energy goods........................| 80.2 79.3 76.7 78.1 76.8 78.5 Intermediate materials less energy...............| 131.6 131.4 131.2 131.0 130.6 130.6 Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....| 132.7 132.4 132.3 132.1 131.8 131.9 | Crude energy materials 2/........................| 65.6 66.9 62.0 62.4 57.8 61.3 Crude materials less energy......................| 110.9 109.7 106.0 109.7 108.0 106.8 Crude nonfood materials less energy 3/...........| 134.0 131.1 128.8 129.0 130.4 129.3 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1/ All seasonally adjusted indexes are subject to change up to 5 years after original publication due to the recalculation of seasonal factors each January. The indexes for November 1998 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents. 2/ Includes crude petroleum. 3/ Excludes crude petroleum. Technical Notes Brief Explanation of Producer Price Indexes Producer price indexes (PPI) measure average changes in prices received by domestic producers of commodities in all stages of processing. Most of the information used in calculating the indexes is obtained through the systematic sampling of nearly every industry in the manufacturing and mining sectors of the economy. The PPI program also includes some information from other sectors--agriculture, fishing, forestry, services, and gas and electricity. Because producer price indexes are designed to measure only the change in prices received for the output of domestic industries, imports are not included. The sample currently contains about 3,200 commodities and 80,000 quotations per month. There are three primary systems of indexes within the PPI program: (1) Stage of processing indexes; (2) commodity indexes; and (3) indexes for the net output of industries and their products. The stage-of-processing structure (tables 1 and 2) organizes products by class of buyer and degree of processing. The commodity structure (tables 2 and 3) organizes products by similarity of end-use or material composition. The entire output of various industries is sampled to derive price indexes for the net output of industries and their products (table 4). Within the stage-of-processing system, finished goods are commodities that will not undergo further processing and are ready for sale to the final demand user, either an individual consumer or business firm. Consumer foods include unprocessed foods such as eggs and fresh vegetables, as well as processed foods such as bakery products and meats. Other finished consumer goods include durable goods such as automobiles, household furniture, and appliances, and nondurable goods such as apparel and home heating oil. Capital equipment includes producer durable goods such as heavy motor trucks, tractors, and machine tools. The stage-of-processing category for intermediate materials, supplies, and components consists partly of commodities that have been processed but require further processing. Examples of such semifinished goods include flour, cotton yarn, steel mill products, and lumber. The intermediate goods category also encompasses nondurable, physically complete items purchased by business firms as inputs for their operations. Examples include diesel fuel, belts and belting, paper boxes, and fertilizers. Crude materials for further processing are products entering the market for the first time that have not been manufactured or fabricated and that are not sold directly to consumers. Crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs include items such as grains and livestock. Examples of crude nonfood materials include raw cotton, crude petroleum, coal, hides and skins, and iron and steel scrap. Producer price indexes for the net output of industries and their products are grouped according to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and the Census product code extension of the SIC. Industry price indexes are compatible with other economic time series organized by SIC codes, such as data on employment, wages, and productivity. Table 4 lists indexes for the net output of major mining and manufacturing industry groups at the 2-digit level. Producer price indexes are based on selling prices reported by establishments of all sizes selected by probability sampling, with the probability of selection proportionate to size. Individual items and transaction terms from these firms are also chosen by probability proportionate to size. BLS strongly encourages cooperating companies to supply actual transaction prices at the time of shipment to minimize the use of list prices. Prices are normally reported by mail questionnaire for the Tuesday of the week containing the 13th. Price data are provided on a voluntary and confidential basis; no one but sworn BLS employees are allowed access to individual company price reports. All producer price indexes are routinely subject to revision once, 4 months after original publication, to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. Net output values of shipments are used as weights for industry indexes. Net output values refer to the value of shipments from establishments in one industry to establishments classified in another industry. However, weights for commodity price indexes are based on gross shipment values, including shipment values between establishments within the same industry. As a result, broad commodity grouping indexes such as the all commodities index are affected by the multiple counting of price change at successive stages of processing, which can lead to exaggerated or misleading signals about inflation. Stage-of- processing indexes partially correct this defect, but industry indexes consistently correct for this at all levels of aggregation. Therefore, industry and stage-of-processing indexes are more appropriate than broad commodity groupings for economic analysis of general price trends. Weights for most traditional commodity groupings of the PPI, as well as all indexes (such as stage-of-processing indexes) calculated from traditional commodity groupings, currently reflect 1987 values of shipments as reported in the Census of Manufactures and other sources. From January 1987 through December 1991, PPI weights were derived from 1982 shipment values. Industry indexes shown in table 4 are also now calculated with 1987 net output weights. Effective with publication of January 1988 data, many important PPI series (including stage-of-processing groupings and most commodity groups and individual items) were placed on a new reference base, 1982=100, to coincide with the reference year of the shipment weights. From 1971 through 1987, the standard reference base for most PPI series was 1967=100. Except for rounding differences, the shift to the new reference base did not alter any changes to previously published percent changes for affected PPI series. (See "Calculating Index Changes," below.) The new reference base is not used for indexes with a base later than December 1981, nor for indexes for the net output of industries and their products. For further information on the underlying concepts and methodology of the Producer Price Index, see chapter 16, "Producer Prices," in BLS Handbook of Methods (September 1992), Bulletin 2414. Reprints are available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on request. Calculating Index Changes Movements of price indexes from one month to another are usually expressed as percent changes rather than as changes in index points because index point chances are affected by the level of the index in relation to its base period, while percent changes are not. The box shows the computation of index point and percent changes. Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periods can be expressed as annual rates that are computed according to the standard formula for compound growth rates. These data indicate what the percent change would be if the rate for a given 3- or 6-month span were maintained for a 12-month period. Index Point Change Finished Goods Price Index 107.5 Less previous index 104.0 Equals index point change 3.5 Index Percent Change Index point change 3.5 Divided by the previous index 104.0 Equals 0.034 Result multiplied by 100 0.034 x 100 Equals percent change 3.4 Each index measures price changes from a reference period which equals 100.0 (1982 or some later month). An increase of 5.5 percent from the reference period in the Finished Goods Price Index, for example, is shown as 105.5. This change can also be expressed in dollars as follows: "Prices received by domestic producers of a systematic sample of finished goods have risen from $100 in 1982 to $105.50 to-day." Likewise, a current index of 90.0 would indicate that prices received by producers of finished goods today are 10 percent lower than they were in 1982. Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data Because price data are used for different purposes by different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each month. Seasonally adjusted data are preferred for analyzing general price trends in the economy because they eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur at about the same time and in about the same magnitude every year-such as price movements resulting from normal weather patterns, regular production and marketing cycles, model changeovers, seasonal discounts, and holidays. For these reasons, seasonally adjusted data more clearly reveal underlying cyclical trends. Unadjusted data are of primary interest to users who need information which can be related to actual dollar values of transactions. Individuals requiring this information include marketing specialists, purchasing agents, budget and cost analysts, contract specialists, and commodity traders. It is the unadjusted data that are generally cited in escalating long-term contracts such as purchasing agreements or real estate leases. (See Escalation and Producer Price Indexes: A Guide for Contracting Parties, BLS Report 807, September 1991, available on request from BLS.) For more information, see "Appendix A: Seasonal Adjustment Methodology at BLS," in the BLS Handbook of Methods (September 1992), Bulletin 2414.