HOUSTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand fell 0.1 percent in December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday.
Final demand prices advanced 0.4 percent in both November and October. On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index climbed 2.6 percent in 2017 after a 1.7-percent rise in 2016.
Most of the December decline in the final demand index was attributable to a 0.2-percent decrease in prices for final demand services. The index for final demand goods was unchanged.
The index for final demand services moved down 0.2 percent in December following nine consecutive increases. Most of the decrease can be traced to a 0.6-percent decline in margins for final demand trade services. Trade indexes measure changes in margins received by wholesalers and retailers.
Prices for final demand transportation and warehousing services fell 0.4 percent. Conversely, the index for final demand services less trade, transportation, and warehousing inched up 0.1 percent.
Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services edged up 0.1 percent in December after rising 0.4 percent in November. In 2017, the index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services climbed 2.3 percent following a 1.8-percent advance in 2016.
Within intermediate demand in December, prices for processed goods increased 0.5 percent, the index for unprocessed goods rose 2.1 percent, and prices for services edged down 0.1 percent.
The index for services for intermediate demand edged down 0.1 percent in December after a 0.7-percent jump in November. The decrease can be traced to prices for services less trade, transportation, and warehousing for intermediate demand, which fell 0.1 percent.
The intermediate demand indexes for both trade services and for transportation and warehousing services were unchanged. In 2017, prices for services for intermediate demand increased 2.9 percent after rising 2.6 percent in 2016.
