HOUSTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand fell 0.1 percent in January, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Department of Labor said on Thursday.
Final demand prices fell 0.1 percent in December 2018 and advanced 0.1 percent in November 2018. On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index moved up 2.0 percent for the 12 months ending in January 2019.
In January, the decline in the final demand index can be traced to a 0.8 percent decrease in prices for final demand goods, the largest decrease since dropping 1.2 percent in September 2015.
Over three-quarters of the January decline can be traced to prices for final demand energy, which moved down 3.8 percent. The index for final demand foods fell 1.7 percent.
The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased by 0.2 percent in January following no change in December 2018. For the 12 months ending in January, prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services moved up 2.5 percent.
The index for final demand services increased 0.3 percent in January following no change in December 2018. A 0.8 percent increase in margins for final demand trade services contributed to over 80 percent of the rise.
