FOR DATA ONLY: (202) 691-5200 USDL 00-292 FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION: TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN (202) 691-7705 THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 691-5902 UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (E.D.T.), FRIDAY, http://stats.bls.gov/ppihome.htm OCTOBER 13, 2000 Producer Price Indexes -- September 2000 The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods rose 0.9 percent in September, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This index declined 0.2 percent in August and showed no change in July. The index for finished goods other than foods and energy advanced 0.3 percent in September, after edging up 0.1 percent in the prior month. Prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods increased 0.7 percent, following a 0.2-percent decrease a month earlier. The crude goods index rose 5.3 percent, after falling 1.5 percent in August. (See table A.) Table A. Monthly and annual percent changes in selected stage-of- processing price indexes, seasonally adjusted Finished goods Change in finished Except goods foods from 12 Inter- Crude and months mediate Month Total Foods Energy energy ago goods goods (unadj.) 1999 Sept. 0.8 0.7 2.1 0.6 3.1 0.5 4.6 Oct. 0 -.3 -.4 .2 2.8 .2 -2.4 Nov. .1 -.2 1.1 -.1 3.1 .2 5.2 Dec. .1 0 .7 .1 2.9 .3 -4.9 2000 Jan. .1 .2 .9 -.2 2.5 .5 2.6 Feb. 1.1 .5 5.3 .3 4.0 .9 3.9 Mar. .7 .1 4.4 .1 4.3 .9 2.2 Apr. -.4 1.1 -3.9 .1 3.6 -.1 -1.5 May r.1 r-.2 r-.2 .3 r3.7 -.1 r3.0 June r.7 r-.4 r5.8 -.1 4.3 .9 r5.3 July 0 0 -.7 .1 4.1 .2 -1.1 Aug. -.2 -.7 -.2 .1 3.3 -.2 -1.5 Sept. .9 .4 3.7 .3 3.3 .7 5.3 r=revised. Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because data for May 2000 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. -2- Among finished goods, a 3.7-percent jump in September's finished energy goods index followed a 0.2-percent decline in August. The index for finished consumer foods rose 0.4 percent, after falling 0.7 percent in the prior month. Price increases for finished consumer goods other than foods and energy increased 0.4 percent in September, following a 0.1-percent rise in August. The index for capital equipment edged up in September, after showing no change a month ago. During the third quarter of 2000, the finished goods price index advanced at a 2.6-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), after rising at a 1.8-percent rate during the second quarter of 2000. Leading this acceleration, prices for finished energy goods rose at an 11.4-percent SAAR in the third quarter of this year, following a 5.7-percent annual rate of increase during the previous three months. The index for finished goods other than foods and energy rose at a 2.2-percent SAAR from June 2000 to September 2000, following a 1.1-percent rate of increase in the previous quarter. On the other hand, the index for finished consumer foods turned down at a 1.4 percent SAAR, after rising at a 1.8-percent rate during the second quarter. The intermediate goods price index advanced at a 2.8- percent SAAR during both the second and the third calendar quarters of 2000. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of increase for the crude goods price index slowed to 11.0 percent in the third quarter, compared to a 30.0- percent rate of increase in the prior quarter. (See summary below.) Summary of December-to-December, 9-month, and 3-month seasonally adjusted annual rates for selected stages of process Grouping Percentage Seasonally adjusted annual change 12 rate for: months ended in December 9 3 3 3 months months months months ended ended ended ended in in in in Sept. March June Sept. 1997 1998 1999 2000 2000 2000 2000 Finished goods -1.2 0.0 2.9 4.1 7.9 1.8 2.6 Finished consumer foods -.8 .1 .8 1.3 3.6 1.8 -1.4 Finished energy goods -6.4 -11.7 18.1 21.3 51.8 5.7 11.4 Finished goods less foods 0 2.5 .9 1.4 .8 1.1 2.2 and energy Finished consumer goods, excluding foods and energy .3 4.2 1.2 1.3 .8 .8 2.4 Capital equipment -.6 0 .3 1.3 .9 1.5 1.4 Intermediate materials, -.8 -3.3 3.7 5.0 9.6 2.8 2.8 supplies, and components Intermediate foods and feeds -1.7 -7.3 -4.2 1.6 6.7 7.0 -8.2 Intermediate energy goods -7.0 -12.1 19.6 22.5 46.3 3.6 21.3 Intermediate materials less .3 -1.6 1.9 2.4 4.2 2.7 .3 foods and energy Materials for nondurable .3 -5.3 4.0 5.7 10.0 7.8 -.6 manufacturing Materials for durable 0 -5.5 2.4 2.4 8.1 -1.5 .9 manufacturing Materials and components 1.2 .1 2.2 .3 3.8 -1.6 -1.3 for construction Crude materials for further -11.3 -16.7 15.3 26.6 40.8 30.0 11.0 processing Foodstuffs and feedstuffs -4.0 -11.0 -.1 -2.2 21.5 -11.1 -13.3 Crude energy materials -23.1 -23.8 36.9 76.0 84.9 106.7 42.6 Crude nonfood materials 0 -16.0 14.0 -4.2 9.9 -10.5 -10.7 less energy NOTE: Late reports and corrections by respondents may cause some indexes to change 4 months after original publication. In addition, seasonally adjusted indexes may be revised for 5 years due to the recalculation of seasonal factors each January. -3- Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods rose 0.8 percent in September to stand at 139.2 (1982=100). From September 1999 to September 2000, prices for finished goods rose 3.3 percent. Over two-thirds of this increase can be traced to a 17.2-percent advance in prices for finished energy goods. During the same period, prices for finished goods other than foods and energy rose 1.2 percent, and prices for finished consumer foods increased 0.3 percent. Prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods rose 4.5 percent for the 12 months ended in September, and the index for crude goods advanced 16.3 percent during the same period. Finished goods The finished energy goods index rose 3.7 percent in September, after decreasing 0.2 percent in August. Gasoline prices turned up 9.3 percent in September, following a 2.8 percent decline in the previous month. The index for residential natural gas also rose, after falling in August. Price increases for diesel fuel and home heating oil accelerated in September compared to the prior month. By contrast, the index for residential electric power declined 0.3 percent, following a 1.0-percent advance a month ago. Finished lubricant prices rose at a slower rate in September than in August. Table B. Monthly and annual percent changes in selected price indexes for intermediate goods and crude goods, seasonally adjusted Intermediate Crude goods goods Change in intermediate Change in Exclud goods crude goods ing from Excluding from foods 12 months Energy foods 12 months and ago and ago Month Foods Energy energy (unadj.) Foods (unadj.) energy (unadj.) 1999 Sept. 1.0 1.9 0.1 2.0 1.3 9.3 1.8 16.5 Oct. .8 -.8 .2 2.2 .1 -7.0 2.4 10.6 Nov. -.6 1.8 .1 2.8 1.0 11.5 1.0 16.7 Dec. -1.9 1.4 .1 3.7 -2.0 -11.1 2.5 15.3 2000 Jan. .1 1.8 .4 4.1 .7 4.7 2.3 17.4 Feb. .5 4.3 .3 5.4 .6 8.9 .6 25.1 Mar. 1.0 3.6 .4 5.9 3.6 2.3 -.5 26.9 Apr. .8 -2.8 .4 5.3 1.5 -4.5 -1.0 22.2 May r.7 r-1.0 r.1 5.0 r-1.4 r8.8 r-.2 r19.0 June r.2 r4.9 r.1 5.4 r-2.9 r15.4 r-1.5 25.2 July -.7 .5 .2 5.0 -2.7 .4 -1.8 23.4 Aug. -2.5 .3 -.1 4.3 -4.5 .6 -1.3 15.6 Sept. 1.1 4.1 0 4.5 3.9 8.1 .3 16.3 r=revised. Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because data for May 2000 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. -4- The index for finished consumer foods rose 0.4 percent, after falling 0.7 percent in the prior month. Fresh fruit and melon prices turned up 27.4 percent, following a 14.1-percent decline in the prior month. Prices for bakery products and roasted coffee also rose, after falling in August. The indexes for pork, dairy products, and for beef and veal fell less than a month ago. The processed young chickens index rose more than last month. By contrast, prices for eggs for fresh use, dropped 16.9 percent in September, following a 19.4-percent advance in the prior month. The indexes for confectionery end products, milled rice, and for finfish and shellfish also fell, after rising in August. September's soft drink prices fell at a slightly faster pace than in August. The index for finished consumer goods other than foods and energy increased 0.4 percent, following a 0.1-percent rise in August. Passenger car prices rose 1.4 percent in September, after falling 0.3 percent a month ago. The indexes for light motor trucks, alcoholic beverages, sanitary paper products, and for men's and boys' apparel also turned up, after declining in the prior month. Prices for soaps and synthetic detergents rose more than in August. The index for household appliances showed no change, following a decrease last month. On the other hand, cigarette prices showed no change in September, after advancing 2.6 percent in the previous month. Prices for prescription drugs, book publishing, and textile housefurnishings turned down in September, following increases in August. During the third quarter of 2000, the index for finished consumer goods other than foods and energy rose at a 2.4-percent SAAR, after increasing at a 0.8-percent rate during the second quarter of 2000. The capital equipment index rose 0.2 percent, after showing no change in August. The majority of September's increase can be traced to a 1.4- percent advance in prices for passenger cars and a 1.5-percent increase in prices for light motor trucks. The indexes for civilian aircraft, office and store machines, construction machinery, and commercial furniture also rose in September. By contrast, prices for heavy motor trucks, communication and related equipment, electronic computers, and for transformers and power regulators declined in September. From June 2000 to September 2000, the index for capital equipment rose at a 1.4-percent SAAR, following a 1.5-percent rate of increase in the previous quarter. Intermediate goods The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and Components turned up 0.7 percent in September, after posting a 0.2-percent decline in the prior month. Most of this acceleration was led by prices for intermediate energy goods, which rose at a faster rate in September than in August. The indexes for intermediate foods and feeds, durable manufacturing materials, and for materials and components for construction turned up, after falling in the previous month. Prices for nondurable manufacturing materials declined at the same rate as in August. The index for intermediate materials other than foods and energy showed no change in September, following a 0.1-percent decline in August. (See table B.) Prices for intermediate energy goods increased 4.1 in September, after registering a 0.3-percent rise in August. The gasoline index advanced 9.3 percent, following a 2.8-percent decline in the prior month. Prices for jet fuels and diesel fuel rose more than a month ago. The indexes for commercial natural gas and residual fuels turned up, after falling the month before. By contrast, commercial electric power prices declined 0.3 percent in September, following a 0.8-percent rise in August. The industrial electric power index also turned down, after increasing in the previous month. Prices for intermediate energy materials advanced at a 21.3-percent SAAR from June 2000 to September 2000, after rising at a 3.6- percent rate in the previous quarter. -5- The index for intermediate foods and feeds rose 1.1 percent in September, following a 2.5-percent decline in August. Prepared animal feed prices rose 3.2 percent, after declining 4.1 percent a month earlier. The index for crude vegetable oils also turned up, following a decline in August. Prices for pork, confectionery materials, and for beef and veal fell less than in the prior month. By contrast, the index for fluid milk products declined 2.8 percent in September, after posting a 0.7-percent decrease in August. Prices for refined sugar also fell more than a month ago. The intermediate foods and feeds index declined at an 8.2-percent SAAR during the third quarter of 2000, following a 7.0-percent rate of increase in the previous quarter. Prices for durable manufacturing materials increased 0.3 percent in September, after falling 0.2 percent in August. The index for primary aluminum advanced 2.7 percent, following a 1.8-percent drop in the previous month. Prices for plywood also turned up, after decreasing a month ago. The indexes for hot rolled sheet and strip and for building paper and board declined at a slower rate than in August, while prices for copper and brass mill shapes rose more than in the prior month. On the other hand, prices for cold rolled sheet and strip decreased 0.8 percent in September, following a 0.6-percent decline in August. Durable manufacturing material prices rose at a 0.9-percent SAAR from June 2000 to September 2000, after declining at a 1.5-percent rate during the second quarter. The index for materials and components for construction edged up 0.1 percent in September, following a 0.1-percent drop in August. Plywood prices increased 2.4 percent, after posting a 1.1-percent decline a month ago. The indexes for softwood lumber and gypsum products fell less than in the prior month. After falling 0.2 percent in August, millwork prices showed no change in September. By contrast, the index for plastic construction products dropped 1.2 percent, following a 0.7-percent increase in August. Prices for asphalt felts and coatings and for plumbing fixtures and brass fittings also turned down, after rising in the previous month. The index for materials and components for construction fell at a 1.3- percent SAAR for the third quarter of 2000, following a 1.6-percent rate of decrease during the second quarter. Prices for nondurable manufacturing materials fell 0.5 percent in September, the same rate of decline as in August. Falling prices for plastic resins and materials, primary basic organic chemicals, phosphates, and aluminum compounds outweighed price increases for nitrogenates, synthetic rubber, paint materials, and woodpulp. Nondurable manufacturing material prices decreased at a 0.6-percent SAAR during the third quarter of 2000, after increasing at a 7.8-percent rate during the second quarter. Crude goods The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing advanced 5.3 percent in September, after registering a 1.5-percent decline in August. Prices for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs also turned up, following a decrease in the prior month. The index for crude energy materials rose more than a month earlier. Prices for basic industrial materials increased, after falling in the previous month. (See table B.) The index for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs gained 3.9 percent in September, following a 4.5-percent drop in August. Prices for slaughter broilers and fryers jumped 16.9 percent, after posting an 8.7-percent decline a month ago. The indexes for slaughter hogs, fluid milk, corn, wheat, soybeans, fresh fruits and melons, and alfalfa hay also rose, after falling in the prior month. Slaughter cattle prices decreased less than a month earlier. By contrast, the index for unprocessed finfish dropped 23.4 percent in September, following a 23.9-percent advance in August. The unprocessed shellfish index declined more than in the previous month. From June 2000 to September 2000, prices for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs decreased at a 13.3-percent SAAR, following an 11.1-percent rate of decline in the second quarter. -6- The index for crude energy materials advanced 8.1 percent in September, after registering a 0.6-percent gain in August. Natural gas prices increased 9.0 percent, following a 0.6-percent rise in the prior month. The crude petroleum index jumped 9.1 percent, after posting a 2.2- percent advance a month earlier. Coal prices rose 0.9 percent, following a 3.5-percent drop in the previous month. Prices for crude energy materials increased at a 42.6-percent SAAR in the third quarter of 2000, following a 106.7-percent rate of advance in the second quarter of 2000. Recording its first increase since February 2000, the index for basic industrial materials rose 0.3 percent in September, after a 1.3-percent decline in August. September price increases were registered for leaf tobacco, copper ores, iron and steel scrap, aluminum base scrap, raw cotton, and for construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone. By contrast, the indexes for wastepaper, softwood logs, phosphates, and iron ores decreased this month. Following a 10.5-percent SAAR of decline during the second quarter of 2000, the index for basic industrial materials fell at a 10.7-percent rate during the third quarter of 2000. Net output price indexes for mining, manufacturing, and services industries Mining. The Producer Price Index for the Net Output of Total Domestic Mining Industries advanced 6.2 percent in September, after registering a 0.5-percent gain in August. (Net output price indexes are not seasonally adjusted.) Leading this acceleration, the index for the crude petroleum, natural gas, and natural gas liquids industry increased 8.1 percent, following a 0.9-percent rise in the prior month. Prices received by the bituminous coal and lignite industry and the potash, soda, and borate minerals industry turned up, after falling a month earlier. The index for the gold ores industry decreased less than in the previous month. Prices received by the copper ores industry and the oil and gas well drilling industry advanced more than a month ago. On the other hand, the index for the iron ores industry declined 2.2 percent in September, after showing no change in August. For the three months ended September 2000, the index for the net output of total domestic mining industries rose at a 34.7-percent annual rate, following a 75.3 percent annual rate of increase during the second quarter of this year. In September, this index stood at 122.6 (December 1984=100), 34.0 percent above its year-ago level. Manufacturing. The Producer Price Index for the Net Output of Total Domestic Manufacturing Industries jumped 0.9 percent in September, after edging down 0.1-percent in August. Accounting for over two-thirds of this acceleration, prices received by the petroleum refining and related products industry group gained 10.6 percent, following a 0.2-percent rise in the previous month. Indexes for the food and kindred products, chemicals and allied products, and the machinery (except electrical) industry groups increased, after falling a month earlier. Prices received by the transportation equipment, electrical and electronic machinery and equipment, and the lumber and wood products (except furniture) industry groups declined less than in the prior month. By contrast, the index for the tobacco manufactures industry group showed no change in September, following a 2.4-percent advance in August. Prices received by the measuring and controlling instruments and the rubber and plastic products industry groups fell, after rising a month ago. After increasing at a 3.4 percent annual rate from March 2000 to June 2000, the index for the net output of total domestic manufacturing industries advanced at a 1.8-percent rate from June 2000 to September 2000. In September, this index stood at 134.6 (December 1984=100), 3.8 percent above its year-ago level. -7- Services. Among services industries in September, price increases were observed for the scheduled air transportation industry, operators and lessors of nonresidential buildings, hotels and motels, skilled and intermediate care facilities, trucking (except local), truck rental and leasing, and the property and casualty insurance industry. Conversely, price declines were observed for real estate agents and managers, deep sea foreign transportation of freight, offices of physicians, and the passenger car rental industry. ***** Producer Price Index data for October 2000 will be released on Thursday, November 9, 2000 at 8:30 a.m. (E.S.T.) 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| |Sept.2000 from:| | |_______________________|_______________|__________________________ | Dec. | | | | | | | | | May |Aug. |Sept. | Sept.| Aug. |June to|July to |Aug. to | 1999 1/|2000 2/|2000 2/|2000 2/| 1999 | 2000 | July | Aug. | Sept. _________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|________ | Finished goods...................................| 100.000 137.3 138.1 139.2 3.3 0.8 0 -0.2 0.9 Finished consumer goods........................| 75.611 137.4 138.5 139.9 3.9 1.0 -.1 -.3 1.1 Finished consumer foods......................| 22.882 138.2 136.9 137.1 .3 .1 0 -.7 .4 Crude......................................| 1.619 125.9 118.3 124.3 -1.9 5.1 -1.4 1.3 4.4 Processed..................................| 21.263 139.2 138.4 138.2 .5 -.1 .1 -.9 .1 Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....| 52.729 136.9 139.0 140.8 5.5 1.3 -.1 0 1.3 Nondurable goods less foods................| 36.838 136.5 139.9 142.7 7.5 2.0 -.1 .1 1.7 Durable goods..............................| 15.891 133.8 132.7 132.5 1.0 -.2 0 -.1 .4 Capital equipment..............................| 24.389 138.6 138.4 138.4 1.2 0 .1 0 .2 Manufacturing industries.....................| 6.436 139.3 139.5 139.5 .9 0 0 .1 .1 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 17.953 138.3 138.0 137.9 1.4 -.1 .2 0 .3 | Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.| 100.000 128.3 129.9 131.0 4.5 .8 .2 -.2 .7 Materials and components for manufacturing.....| 46.550 128.5 128.6 128.5 2.5 -.1 .4 -.3 -.1 Materials for food manufacturing.............| 3.339 120.5 119.1 118.9 -2.5 -.2 -.2 -1.6 .3 Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......| 15.689 133.3 134.2 133.6 5.6 -.4 .9 -.5 -.5 Materials for durable manufacturing..........| 10.279 129.6 129.1 129.4 2.5 .2 .1 -.2 .3 Components for manufacturing.................| 17.243 126.0 126.2 126.3 .5 .1 .1 0 .2 Materials and components for construction......| 13.727 151.0 150.3 150.3 .5 0 -.3 -.1 .1 Processed fuels and lubricants.................| 13.649 96.5 104.6 110.0 18.9 5.2 .5 .3 4.1 Manufacturing industries ....................| 4.947 96.5 104.2 106.8 13.3 2.5 1.7 .5 1.9 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 8.702 96.2 104.5 111.4 22.1 6.6 -.2 .2 5.4 Containers.....................................| 3.953 152.7 153.1 153.5 5.4 .3 0 -.1 .2 Supplies.......................................| 22.121 136.7 136.9 137.3 2.2 .3 .1 -.3 .4 Manufacturing industries.....................| 5.089 142.8 144.0 144.2 2.3 .1 .3 .1 .1 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 17.032 133.9 133.9 134.4 2.1 .4 .1 -.4 .4 Feeds......................................| 1.160 97.2 90.2 93.6 5.4 3.8 -2.1 -5.2 3.8 Other supplies.............................| 15.872 138.4 139.2 139.3 1.8 .1 .3 -.1 .1 | Crude materials for further processing...........| 100.000 115.9 119.2 124.8 16.3 4.7 -1.1 -1.5 5.3 Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................| 38.999 104.9 95.4 97.6 -2.5 2.3 -2.7 -4.5 3.9 Nonfood materials..............................| 61.001 119.3 131.2 139.1 28.4 6.0 -.2 .1 6.0 Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............| 38.153 115.9 118.8 124.1 21.0 4.5 -4.4 .4 4.6 Manufacturing 3/...........................| 36.758 106.6 109.5 114.6 22.0 4.7 -4.5 .6 4.7 Construction...............................| 1.395 198.0 185.7 184.0 -6.8 -.9 -2.1 -3.0 -.9 Crude fuel 4/................................| 22.848 114.3 137.8 148.5 38.0 7.8 5.3 -.4 7.8 Manufacturing industries...................| 1.933 112.9 138.5 149.0 38.5 7.6 5.4 .5 7.6 Nonmanufacturing industries................| 20.915 116.5 140.2 151.0 37.9 7.7 5.3 -.4 7.7 | Special groupings | | Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 77.118 137.0 138.4 139.6 4.2 .9 -.1 0 1.0 Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 95.501 129.2 131.0 132.1 4.8 .8 .3 -.2 .7 Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/ 4.499 113.4 110.2 111.2 -.5 .9 -.7 -2.5 1.1 Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 58.794 120.3 132.8 140.7 29.0 5.9 -.1 -.2 6.0 | Finished energy goods............................|5/ 13.780 90.9 96.3 100.6 17.2 4.5 -.7 -.2 3.7 Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 86.220 145.0 144.5 144.6 1.0 .1 .1 -.1 .3 Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 61.831 147.6 147.0 147.1 .9 .1 .1 -.3 .4 | Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 63.338 147.7 147.4 147.5 1.2 .1 .1 .1 .3 Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 38.949 153.7 153.4 153.6 1.3 .1 .1 .1 .4 Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 23.058 169.3 169.8 170.3 1.4 .3 .2 .3 .3 | Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 13.762 96.3 104.3 109.6 19.0 5.1 .5 .3 4.1 Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 86.238 135.3 135.3 135.4 2.2 .1 .2 -.3 .1 Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 81.739 136.7 137.0 137.0 2.3 0 .2 -.1 0 | Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 39.555 106.5 124.2 134.3 40.8 8.1 .4 .6 8.1 Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 60.445 116.1 107.4 109.1 -.8 1.6 -2.4 -3.4 2.6 Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 21.446 148.8 142.3 142.6 2.5 .2 -1.8 -1.3 .3 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 May 2000 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 | | |Sept.2000 from:| code | Grouping |_______________________|_______________|________________________ | | | | | | | | | | | May |Aug. |Sept. | Sept. | Aug. |June to|July to|Aug. to | |2000 1/|2000 1/|2000 1/| 1999 | 2000 | July | Aug. | Sept. ___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ | | |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 137.3 138.1 139.2 3.3 0.8 0 -0.2 0.9 | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 137.4 138.5 139.9 3.9 1.0 -.1 -.3 1.1 | FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 138.2 136.9 137.1 .3 .1 0 -.7 .4 | | 01-11 | Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................| 96.3 71.1 90.6 -14.8 27.4 -.5 -14.1 27.4 01-13 | Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 140.6 128.1 137.3 14.0 7.2 -.6 7.5 7.2 01-71-07 | Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100)..................| 64.2 91.1 77.7 2.6 -14.7 -17.4 19.4 -16.9 02-11 | Bakery products 2/..................................| 181.7 182.5 183.3 3.0 .4 .7 -.2 .4 02-13 | Milled rice 2/......................................| 103.6 101.6 97.8 -19.8 -3.7 -.5 1.3 -3.7 02-14-02 | Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 121.6 121.2 121.5 -.4 .2 .1 -.1 .2 02-21-01 | Beef and veal.......................................| 118.9 111.9 109.4 -.7 -2.2 -1.4 -3.4 -1.3 02-21-04 | Pork................................................| 121.1 116.9 109.1 4.2 -6.7 1.9 -9.0 -.7 02-22-03 | Processed young chickens............................| 107.6 110.4 117.9 2.7 6.8 -2.4 1.0 6.5 02-22-06 | Processed turkeys...................................| 94.3 97.2 103.4 5.1 6.4 -.6 -.3 3.9 02-23 | Finfish and shellfish...............................| 204.1 200.9 189.7 -2.0 -5.6 .8 2.5 -5.8 02-3 | Dairy products......................................| 132.6 134.9 135.6 -5.1 .5 .7 -3.5 -2.2 02-4 | Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 129.2 127.9 127.6 -.2 -.2 -.1 -.4 -.2 02-55 | Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 171.1 171.5 171.2 .4 -.2 .2 .1 -.2 02-62 | Soft drinks.........................................| 144.9 144.8 144.0 3.8 -.6 -.2 -.1 -.3 02-63-01 | Roasted coffee 2/...................................| 137.1 130.1 130.5 -1.4 .3 .8 -2.1 .3 02-78 | Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 133.9 130.5 132.1 -5.6 1.2 -.6 -.6 1.2 | | | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 136.9 139.0 140.8 5.5 1.3 -.1 0 1.3 | | 02-61 | Alcoholic beverages.................................| 141.4 137.6 141.4 3.4 2.8 .3 -.3 3.0 03-81-01 | Women's apparel 2/..................................| 124.3 123.2 123.0 -.7 -.2 .2 -.1 -.2 03-81-02 | Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 133.3 133.0 133.4 .4 .3 .1 -.2 .3 03-81-03 | Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 116.9 117.0 116.8 -.1 -.2 0 -2.6 -.2 03-82 | Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 122.3 122.7 121.9 -.8 -.7 .1 .1 -.7 04-3 | Footwear 2/.........................................| 145.0 145.1 145.1 .3 0 -.1 .1 0 05-41 | Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 108.9 115.8 115.6 1.8 -.2 2.0 1.0 -.3 05-51 | Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 123.4 137.3 144.5 23.5 5.2 6.2 -.3 4.9 05-71 | Gasoline............................................| 95.2 94.3 104.7 33.5 11.0 -9.1 -2.8 9.3 05-73-02-01| Fuel oil No. 2......................................| 84.4 92.0 109.9 63.8 19.5 -1.3 2.0 13.4 06-35 | Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription) 2/.....| 343.0 346.8 346.6 2.5 -.1 .5 .3 -.1 06-36 | Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter) 2/..| 188.3 188.2 188.3 .9 .1 .1 -.2 .1 06-71 | Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 127.2 127.4 129.4 1.7 1.6 0 .1 1.6 06-75 | Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 137.3 137.0 136.9 .7 -.1 -.1 -.2 -.1 07-12 | Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................| 91.9 94.3 92.9 .1 -1.5 1.6 -.6 -1.5 09-15-01 | Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 148.7 146.5 147.1 3.4 .4 -.2 -.3 .4 09-31-01 | Newspaper circulation 2/............................| 208.3 208.4 208.5 .7 0 0 0 0 09-32-01 | Periodical circulation..............................| 198.8 200.9 200.6 1.8 -.1 .8 0 0 09-33 | Book publishing.....................................| 216.2 217.4 217.2 1.9 -.1 .6 .2 -.6 12-1 | Household furniture 2/..............................| 152.5 152.8 153.0 1.5 .1 .1 0 .1 12-3 | Floor coverings 2/..................................| 128.8 130.2 129.1 1.8 -.8 .4 -.1 -.8 12-4 | Household appliances ...............................| 107.8 106.2 106.1 -2.1 -.1 .3 -.9 0 12-5 | Home electronic equipment 2/........................| 72.3 71.4 71.2 -2.6 -.3 -.8 -.3 -.3 12-62 | Household glassware.................................| 165.8 166.1 165.8 .9 -.2 .4 .2 -.2 12-64 | Household flatware 2/...............................| 140.1 144.8 144.8 3.9 0 -.6 3.9 0 12-66 | Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 131.4 131.5 131.5 -.3 0 .2 -.1 0 14-11-01 | Passenger cars......................................| 133.0 128.9 128.9 1.5 0 -.5 -.3 1.4 15-11 | Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 121.5 121.8 122.1 -.4 .2 .1 .2 .4 15-12 | Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 125.7 126.5 125.9 -.1 -.5 .2 -.4 -.5 15-2 | Tobacco products 2/.................................| 392.6 402.4 402.5 2.0 0 .1 2.3 0 15-5 | Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 160.8 162.1 162.1 1.6 0 -.2 .5 0 15-94-02 | Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 127.1 127.3 127.2 1.3 -.1 0 -.3 -.1 15-94-04 | Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 140.9 140.9 140.9 .6 0 -.1 0 0 | | | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 138.6 138.4 138.4 1.2 0 .1 0 .2 | | 11-1 | Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 153.7 152.7 152.8 .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 11-2 | Construction machinery and equipment................| 148.5 148.7 148.8 .9 .1 .1 .1 .2 11-37 | Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 161.6 161.9 162.0 .7 .1 -.1 .1 .1 11-38 | Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 162.1 162.3 163.3 2.1 .6 -.2 .1 .6 11-39 | Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 141.3 141.1 141.1 .6 0 .1 -.1 0 11-41 | Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 153.8 154.5 154.4 1.6 -.1 -.3 .5 .1 11-44 | Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 134.2 134.9 135.1 1.6 .1 .4 0 .1 11-51 | Electronic computers (Dec. 1998=100) 2/.............| 73.4 71.0 70.8 -14.8 -.3 -.4 -2.2 -.3 11-62 | Textile machinery 2/................................| 155.9 156.6 156.4 1.4 -.1 -.3 0 -.1 11-64 | Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100)..........| 165.0 165.1 164.8 1.1 -.2 .1 .1 -.1 11-65 | Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 141.7 142.3 142.5 .9 .1 0 .3 .1 11-74 | Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 137.1 135.9 135.1 .4 -.6 -.4 -.4 -.6 11-76 | Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100)......| 110.8 110.7 110.7 -.4 0 -.2 0 -.1 11-79-05 | X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 101.4 102.2 102.1 -.7 -.1 .2 -.7 -.1 11-91 | Oil field and gas field machinery ..................| 128.0 128.0 128.1 1.5 .1 0 .2 .1 11-92 | Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 146.0 146.3 146.6 1.6 .2 .1 .1 .2 11-93 | Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 112.3 113.2 113.8 1.2 .5 1.2 -.4 .5 12-2 | Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 158.3 158.6 158.7 1.0 .1 0 0 .1 14-11-05 | Light motor trucks..................................| 157.8 154.8 154.0 1.4 -.5 -.1 -.1 1.5 14-11-06 | Heavy motor trucks 2/...............................| 148.0 148.9 148.4 .9 -.3 -.2 .4 -.3 14-14 | Truck trailers 2/...................................| 138.8 140.7 140.5 2.3 -.1 .9 .6 -.1 14-21-02 | Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 158.0 160.2 160.3 5.7 .1 1.5 .3 .1 14-31 | Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 146.4 146.5 146.5 .5 0 .1 0 0 14-4 | Railroad equipment 2/...............................| 135.7 135.8 135.8 0 0 .1 -.1 0 | | |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 128.3 129.9 131.0 4.5 .8 .2 -.2 .7 | | | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 113.4 110.2 111.2 -.5 .9 -.7 -2.5 1.1 | | 02-12-03 | Flour 2/............................................| 102.5 103.1 103.6 -.2 .5 -1.5 .7 .5 02-53 | Refined sugar 2/....................................| 111.5 109.7 104.3 -14.1 -4.9 .6 -2.1 -4.9 02-54 | Confectionery materials.............................| 93.9 93.1 93.4 -.2 .3 -.5 -.6 -.3 02-72 | Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................| 82.5 67.0 74.3 -12.2 10.9 -7.3 -7.7 10.9 02-9 | Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 105.1 99.1 102.3 4.5 3.2 -1.7 -4.1 3.2 | | | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 129.2 131.0 132.1 4.8 .8 .3 -.2 .7 | | 03-1 | Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 107.9 107.8 108.0 5.0 .2 -.9 .7 .2 03-2 | Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 108.1 108.0 107.6 -1.0 -.4 .3 -.1 -.4 03-3 | Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 112.5 113.5 113.1 1.0 -.4 3.7 0 -.4 03-4 | Finished fabrics....................................| 123.0 123.1 123.1 0 0 .2 0 0 03-83-03 | Industrial textile products 2/......................| 131.2 131.6 131.8 1.7 .2 .8 .2 .2 04-2 | Leather.............................................| 178.9 182.4 184.9 4.6 1.4 -.2 1.9 1.0 05-32 | Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................| 110.8 130.8 130.9 37.4 .1 2.4 -1.5 .1 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 | | |Sept.2000 from:| code | Grouping |_______________________|_______________|________________________ | | | | | | | | | | | May |Aug. |Sept. | Sept. | Aug. |June to|July to|Aug. to | |2000 1/|2000 1/|2000 1/| 1999 | 2000 | July | Aug. | Sept. ___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ | | | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS | | -Continued..........................................| 05-42 | Commercial electric power...........................| 127.2 139.2 139.4 2.4 0.1 0.7 0.8 -0.3 05-43 | Industrial electric power...........................| 128.6 137.3 137.6 2.6 .2 2.3 1.1 -.2 05-52 | Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 117.6 135.5 142.2 28.5 4.9 6.8 -.9 4.7 05-53 | Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 114.6 140.1 145.7 36.7 4.0 8.1 .9 3.1 05-54 | Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100)...| 99.6 119.2 122.8 46.0 3.0 1.8 -6.0 2.5 05-72-03 | Jet fuels...........................................| 77.0 85.8 102.8 62.4 19.8 3.6 2.7 16.6 05-73-03 | No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................| 82.8 91.4 108.9 58.3 19.1 3.4 1.5 14.8 05-74 | Residual fuel 2/....................................| 79.0 89.0 89.3 35.7 .3 6.0 -2.8 .3 06-1 | Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 128.7 131.1 130.6 9.2 -.4 2.5 -1.6 -.4 06-21 | Prepared paint......................................| 160.9 161.0 161.6 2.7 .4 .1 .1 .3 06-22 | Paint materials 2/..................................| 151.4 147.9 149.1 3.1 .8 .1 -2.4 .8 06-31 | Medicinal and botanical chemicals 2/................| 146.8 146.2 145.6 .7 -.4 -1.2 .6 -.4 06-4 | Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................| 71.4 63.3 63.4 -28.1 .2 -8.5 -4.7 .2 06-51 | Mixed fertilizers...................................| 112.8 112.0 112.9 -.5 .8 .4 -.2 1.0 06-52-01 | Nitrogenates........................................| 109.1 122.9 125.7 37.2 2.3 10.7 1.6 1.6 06-52-02 | Phosphates 2/.......................................| 98.8 98.5 94.8 -15.1 -3.8 .1 .4 -3.8 06-53 | Other agricultural chemicals 2/.....................| 146.2 146.2 146.7 1.0 .3 0 -.2 .3 06-6 | Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 147.4 146.2 142.1 6.2 -2.8 -.3 -1.3 -2.8 07-11-02 | Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 117.9 121.0 123.0 8.2 1.7 .3 2.3 1.7 07-21 | Plastic construction products ......................| 137.1 138.1 136.1 4.1 -1.4 -.6 .7 -1.2 07-22 | Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes 2/..| 131.3 132.0 132.5 3.6 .4 .4 -.2 .4 07-26 | Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 117.3 117.7 117.6 .2 -.1 -.4 .8 -.1 08-11 | Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 180.7 170.0 167.9 -14.9 -1.2 -3.3 -1.7 -1.2 08-12 | Hardwood lumber ....................................| 186.1 186.1 186.4 5.1 .2 .3 -.1 .2 08-2 | Millwork 2/.........................................| 176.7 176.4 176.4 -.3 0 0 -.2 0 08-3 | Plywood 2/..........................................| 156.6 152.7 156.4 -12.0 2.4 -.7 -1.1 2.4 09-11 | Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 143.4 148.2 149.3 19.3 .7 1.2 .5 .7 09-13 | Paper 2/............................................| 150.0 151.2 151.2 6.1 0 .1 .1 0 09-14 | Paperboard 2/.......................................| 180.4 180.6 180.1 11.9 -.3 .1 .1 -.3 09-15-03 | Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 174.3 174.9 175.5 7.5 .3 -.1 -.3 .3 09-2 | Building paper and board 2/.........................| 144.7 133.7 132.5 -9.6 -.9 -2.2 -3.0 -.9 09-37 | Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 154.3 156.1 156.3 2.8 .1 0 .1 .1 10-15 | Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 136.7 136.7 136.5 1.0 -.1 -.4 .1 -.1 10-17 | Steel mill products 2/..............................| 110.2 108.7 108.3 3.4 -.4 -.4 -.7 -.4 10-22 | Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 110.9 115.8 119.5 12.0 3.2 2.7 1.3 3.2 10-25-01 | Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 149.0 149.2 150.5 6.8 .9 .3 .7 .9 10-25-02 | Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 160.6 162.8 166.9 5.6 2.5 .4 1.2 2.5 10-26 | Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 143.2 143.2 145.6 5.8 1.7 -.8 1.7 1.7 10-3 | Metal containers 2/.................................| 107.2 107.3 107.3 1.2 0 .1 .1 0 10-4 | Hardware............................................| 150.8 151.6 152.3 1.7 .5 -.2 .1 .6 10-5 | Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 180.0 182.2 181.3 2.5 -.5 .6 .4 -.2 10-6 | Heating equipment...................................| 155.8 155.7 155.8 .8 .1 -.2 0 .1 10-7 | Fabricated structural metal products................| 144.7 144.5 144.8 1.0 .2 -.3 .1 .2 10-88 | Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 130.2 129.8 130.0 -.5 .2 -.2 .3 .2 10-89 | Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 126.0 126.0 126.0 .5 0 .2 -.1 0 11-45 | Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 163.8 163.9 164.0 1.6 .1 .1 .2 .1 11-48 | Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 135.6 135.6 135.3 .4 -.2 -.2 -.1 -.1 11-49-02 | Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100) 2/.....| 161.9 162.3 162.3 1.2 0 0 .2 0 11-49-05 | Ball and roller bearings............................| 167.8 169.3 169.3 1.4 0 .6 .4 -.1 11-71 | Wiring devices......................................| 153.0 153.2 152.9 .1 -.2 .2 -.1 -.1 11-73 | Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 146.0 146.4 146.4 .5 0 .5 .1 .3 11-75 | Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 152.9 151.9 152.6 1.2 .5 -.3 .1 .7 11-78 | Electronic components and accessories 2/............| 97.1 97.6 98.1 0 .5 .5 -.5 .5 11-94 | Internal combustion engines.........................| 143.4 143.8 143.9 .6 .1 .1 .1 .1 11-95 | Machine shop products 2/............................| 137.6 138.0 138.0 .9 0 0 -.1 0 13-11 | Flat glass 2/.......................................| 109.3 111.2 112.1 5.1 .8 1.5 -.4 .8 13-22 | Cement..............................................| 150.5 150.3 149.9 -.9 -.3 .5 0 0 13-3 | Concrete products...................................| 147.6 148.2 149.7 3.8 1.0 0 .3 1.1 13-6 | Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................| 104.7 106.7 104.3 4.6 -2.2 .2 .1 -2.2 13-7 | Gypsum products 2/..................................| 214.9 195.2 188.3 -11.4 -3.5 -2.6 -4.7 -3.5 13-8 | Glass containers 2/.................................| 127.5 127.5 127.5 1.4 0 0 .2 0 14-12 | Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 113.6 113.0 113.1 -.8 .1 0 -.3 .1 14-23 | Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 140.3 140.7 140.7 2.1 0 .6 -.1 .5 14-25 | Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 144.6 144.9 145.1 1.3 .1 .9 0 .1 15-42 | Photographic supplies 2/............................| 124.7 124.6 126.7 -1.3 1.7 .2 0 1.7 15-6 | Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 145.7 146.2 146.3 1.2 .1 .2 .1 .1 | | | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 115.9 119.2 124.8 16.3 4.7 -1.1 -1.5 5.3 | | | CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 104.9 95.4 97.6 -2.5 2.3 -2.7 -4.5 3.9 | | 01-21 | Wheat 2/............................................| 79.7 73.1 77.7 -3.5 6.3 -1.8 -8.3 6.3 01-22-02-05| Corn 2/.............................................| 87.7 61.7 65.5 -9.9 6.2 -14.2 -5.5 6.2 01-31 | Slaughter cattle 2/.................................| 107.6 99.3 97.3 -.2 -2.0 -2.9 -2.8 -2.0 01-32 | Slaughter hogs......................................| 83.9 71.7 71.1 29.0 -.8 4.8 -17.1 12.7 01-41-02 | Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 126.7 118.9 135.8 1.5 14.2 -6.6 -8.7 16.9 01-42 | Slaughter turkeys...................................| 116.2 128.1 133.3 -1.6 4.1 -2.9 1.1 2.3 01-6 | Fluid milk..........................................| 90.0 93.0 96.1 -18.1 3.3 3.0 -7.7 .3 01-83-01-31| Soybeans 2/.........................................| 91.6 77.8 82.8 .6 6.4 -7.1 -3.7 6.4 02-52-01-01| Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 102.0 94.7 99.8 -9.2 5.4 -7.7 -2.4 5.4 | | | CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................| 119.3 131.2 139.1 28.4 6.0 -.2 .1 6.0 | | 01-51-01-01| Raw cotton..........................................| 95.6 98.1 100.7 24.8 2.7 -3.7 12.4 2.7 01-92-01-01| Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................| (3) 97.0 107.0 4.0 10.3 (3) (3) 10.3 04-11 | Cattle hides 2/.....................................| 161.9 175.7 177.0 17.1 .7 6.2 2.1 .7 05-1 | Coal 2/.............................................| 90.0 85.8 86.6 -2.3 .9 .6 -3.5 .9 05-31 | Natural gas 2/......................................| 123.3 157.9 172.1 49.8 9.0 6.4 .6 9.0 05-61 | Crude petroleum 2/..................................| 79.6 88.2 96.2 46.9 9.1 -7.2 2.2 9.1 08-5 | Logs, timber, etc...................................| 200.6 187.8 186.1 -8.3 -.9 -1.6 -3.3 -.7 09-12 | Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 365.0 262.5 239.7 11.2 -8.7 -12.3 -15.7 -8.7 10-11 | Iron ore 2/.........................................| 94.9 94.9 92.8 -2.1 -2.2 0 0 -2.2 10-12 | Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 147.3 136.4 137.3 -4.0 .7 -2.9 .1 .7 10-21 | Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............| 66.3 66.7 68.1 7.1 2.1 -1.6 .3 2.1 10-23-01 | Copper base scrap 2/................................| 120.7 129.1 128.9 11.1 -.2 1.7 5.6 -.2 10-23-02 | Aluminum base scrap.................................| 173.0 176.0 177.9 3.0 1.1 4.1 .1 1.2 13-21 | Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 163.6 164.0 164.6 4.0 .4 0 .3 .5 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1/ The indexes for May 2000 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 | May 2000 | Aug. 2000 |Sept. 2000 | _________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________| | | | | | | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................| 385.4 | 387.6 | 390.5 | | All commodities................................| 131.6 | 132.9 | 134.5 | | | | | | | | | | | | MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS | | | | | | | | | | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....| 124.2 | 120.0 | 121.2 | 01 | Farm products................................| 103.7 | 94.3 | 97.9 | 02 | Processed foods and feeds....................| 134.3 | 132.7 | 132.7 | | | | | | | Industrial commodities.........................| 133.0 | 135.4 | 137.0 | 03 | Textile products and apparel.................| 121.4 | 121.4 | 121.3 | 04 | Hides, skins, leather, and related products..| 149.7 | 152.4 | 153.1 | 05 | Fuels and related products and power 2/......| 96.6 | 105.8 | 111.9 | 06 | Chemicals and allied products 2/.............| 151.3 | 152.5 | 151.8 | 07 | Rubber and plastic products..................| 124.4 | 125.8 | 126.0 | 08 | Lumber and wood products.....................| 179.3 | 174.4 | 174.0 | 09 | Pulp, paper, and allied products.............| 184.9 | 184.3 | 184.1 | 10 | Metals and metal products....................| 128.2 | 128.0 | 128.5 | 11 | Machinery and equipment......................| 123.9 | 124.1 | 124.2 | 12 | Furniture and household durables.............| 132.6 | 132.5 | 132.4 | 13 | Nonmetallic mineral products.................| 143.0 | 142.8 | 143.0 | 14 | Transportation equipment.....................| 143.5 | 142.5 | 142.5 | 15 | Miscellaneous products.......................| 169.4 | 171.8 | 172.2 | | | | | | | Industrial commodities less fuels and related | | | | | products and power...........................| 142.5 | 142.5 | 142.5 | | | | | | | | | | | | OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS | | | | | | | | | 01-1 | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables, | | | | | and tree nuts................................| 119.3 | 99.6 | 114.6 | 01-2 | Grains.........................................| 85.8 | 66.8 | 70.2 | 01-3 | Slaughter livestock............................| 102.5 | 92.8 | 91.1 | 01-4 | Slaughter poultry..............................| 123.0 | 119.6 | 133.6 | 01-5 | Plant and animal fibers........................| 94.5 | 96.7 | 99.3 | 01-7 | Chicken eggs...................................| 73.8 | 108.6 | 92.4 | 01-8 | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................| 115.0 | 99.3 | 104.9 | 01-83 | Oilseeds.......................................| 102.3 | 87.4 | 92.8 | 01-9 | Other farm products............................| 'N.A.' | 144.7 | 159.6 | 02-1 | Cereal and bakery products.....................| 158.1 | 158.2 | 158.6 | 02-2 | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................| 124.5 | 121.8 | 119.4 | 02-22 | Processed poultry..............................| 110.8 | 113.3 | 117.9 | 02-5 | Sugar and confectionery........................| 132.9 | 132.2 | 131.3 | 02-6 | Beverages and beverage materials...............| 144.0 | 141.8 | 143.1 | 02-63 | Packaged beverage materials....................| 134.9 | 129.0 | 129.3 | 02-7 | Fats and oils..................................| 114.1 | 106.6 | 109.9 | 03-81 | Apparel........................................| 127.2 | 126.7 | 126.8 | 04-4 | Other leather and related products.............| 146.0 | 146.0 | 146.0 | 05-3 | Gas fuels 2/...................................| 118.4 | 148.8 | 159.2 | 05-4 | Electric power.................................| 127.6 | 137.1 | 137.1 | 05-7 | Refined petroleum products.....................| 87.6 | 90.7 | 102.1 | 06-3 | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................| 256.8 | 258.7 | 258.5 | 06-5 | Agricultural chemicals and products............| 123.2 | 126.1 | 125.8 | 06-7 | Other chemicals and allied products............| 136.4 | 137.3 | 137.4 | 07-1 | Rubber and rubber products.....................| 114.6 | 116.3 | 116.0 | 07-11 | Rubber, except natural rubber..................| 117.3 | 120.4 | 122.4 | 07-13 | Miscellaneous rubber products..................| 138.7 | 139.3 | 139.3 | 07-2 | Plastic products...............................| 132.1 | 133.5 | 133.9 | 08-1 | Lumber.........................................| 180.3 | 172.9 | 171.6 | 09-1 | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building | | | | | paper and board..............................| 164.6 | 162.5 | 162.2 | 09-15 | Converted paper and paperboard products........| 164.0 | 164.0 | 164.4 | 10-1 | Iron and steel.................................| 118.4 | 116.3 | 116.0 | 10-2 | Nonferrous metals..............................| 126.8 | 128.3 | 130.1 | 10-25 | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................| 143.1 | 143.6 | 145.3 | 11-3 | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........| 149.4 | 149.7 | 149.8 | 11-4 | General purpose machinery and equipment........| 150.6 | 151.0 | 151.0 | 11-6 | Special industry machinery.....................| 162.9 | 163.4 | 163.4 | 11-7 | Electrical machinery and equipment.............| 118.8 | 118.9 | 119.2 | 11-9 | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........| 133.8 | 134.2 | 134.4 | 12-6 | Other household durable goods..................| 155.1 | 155.9 | 155.7 | 13-2 | Concrete ingredients...........................| 156.0 | 156.2 | 156.4 | 14-1 | Motor vehicles and equipment...................| 132.4 | 130.3 | 130.1 | 15-1 | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........| 132.2 | 132.7 | 132.5 | 15-4 | Photographic equipment and supplies............| 108.4 | 109.0 | 109.6 | 15-9 | Other miscellaneous products...................| 136.4 | 136.7 | 136.5 | __________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________| 1/ Data for May 2000 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_Sep._2000_from: code | |base | | | | | | | |May |Aug. |Sep. | Sep. | Aug. | | |2000 2/|2000 2/|2000 2/| 1999 | 2000 __________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|_________ | | | |Total mining industries...................... |12/84| 100.6 115.4 122.6 34.0 6.2 10 | Metal mining................................ |12/84| 72.6 72.8 73.6 4.5 1.1 12 | Coal mining................................. |12/85| 86.1 83.5 83.9 -2.3 .5 13 | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85| 109.1 129.6 139.3 43.8 7.5 14 | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic | | | minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 137.2 137.9 138.0 2.8 .1 | | | |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 133.1 133.4 134.6 3.8 .9 20 | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 129.3 128.2 128.4 .7 .2 21 | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 341.7 350.5 350.5 1.7 0 22 | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 116.5 116.8 116.7 .7 -.1 23 | Apparel and other finished products made | | | from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 125.6 125.6 125.6 0 0 24 | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 159.1 155.8 155.4 -4.7 -.3 25 | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 143.4 143.6 143.5 1.2 -.1 26 | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 146.9 147.3 147.6 6.4 .2 27 | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 182.0 183.1 183.2 2.9 .1 28 | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 156.4 157.5 158.4 4.9 .6 29 | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84| 109.0 112.8 124.8 38.4 10.6 30 | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 123.6 125.0 124.9 1.7 -.1 31 | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 137.4 138.0 138.3 1.0 .2 32 | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 135.1 134.6 134.9 1.3 .2 33 | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 120.5 120.1 120.5 3.5 .3 34 | Fabricated metal products, except machinery | | | and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 130.2 130.4 130.5 1.0 .1 35 | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 117.4 117.5 117.6 .4 .1 36 | Electrical and electronic machinery, | | | equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 108.4 108.1 108.0 -1.1 -.1 37 | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 136.5 135.6 135.5 2.2 -.1 38 | Measuring and controlling instruments; | | | photographic, medical, optical goods; | | | watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 126.3 126.6 126.5 1.3 -.1 39 | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 130.5 131.1 130.7 .5 -.3 | | | |Services industries | | 40 | Railroad transportation..................... |12/96| 102.3 103.1 102.9 1.3 -.2 42 | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 118.6 120.1 120.6 4.1 .4 43 | United States Postal Service................ |06/89| 135.2 135.2 135.2 0 0 44 | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 123.8 128.1 126.6 7.9 -1.2 45 | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 146.0 148.3 151.3 14.8 2.0 46 | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 102.0 102.5 102.4 4.2 -.1 54 | Food stores................................. |12/99| 103.1 102.6 104.7 (3) 2.0 80 | Health services............................. |12/94| 112.0 112.8 112.8 2.5 0 81 | Legal services.............................. |12/96| 111.8 112.5 112.6 3.1 .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 May 2000 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 | | | | | | | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sep. | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 _______________________________________________________|________|________|________|________|________|________ | Finished goods...................................| 137.0 137.1 138.1 138.1 137.8 139.0 Finished consumer goods........................| 137.0 137.1 138.4 138.3 137.9 139.4 Finished consumer foods......................| 138.1 137.8 137.2 137.2 136.2 136.7 Crude......................................| 129.3 126.5 117.9 116.3 117.8 123.0 Processed..................................| 138.7 138.7 138.8 138.9 137.6 137.8 Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....| 136.4 136.6 138.6 138.5 138.5 140.3 Nondurable goods less foods................| 135.9 136.0 138.9 138.7 138.8 141.1 Durable goods..............................| 133.6 134.1 134.1 134.1 133.9 134.5 Capital equipment..............................| 138.4 138.7 138.8 139.0 139.0 139.3 Manufacturing industries.....................| 139.1 139.3 139.5 139.5 139.6 139.7 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 138.1 138.4 138.4 138.7 138.7 139.1 | Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.| 128.4 128.3 129.4 129.7 129.4 130.3 Materials and components for manufacturing.....| 128.2 128.4 128.5 129.0 128.6 128.5 Materials for food manufacturing.............| 120.2 120.1 120.4 120.2 118.3 118.6 Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......| 132.3 133.2 133.8 135.0 134.3 133.6 Materials for durable manufacturing..........| 129.9 129.6 129.2 129.3 129.1 129.5 Components for manufacturing.................| 126.1 126.0 126.1 126.2 126.2 126.4 Materials and components for construction......| 151.5 150.8 150.8 150.4 150.2 150.3 Processed fuels and lubricants.................| 97.8 96.8 101.5 102.0 102.3 106.5 Manufacturing industries ....................| 97.2 96.5 99.8 101.5 102.0 103.9 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 97.8 96.6 102.1 101.9 102.1 107.6 Containers.....................................| 151.6 152.7 153.3 153.3 153.2 153.5 Supplies.......................................| 136.4 136.7 137.1 137.3 136.9 137.4 Manufacturing industries.....................| 142.7 142.9 143.5 143.9 144.0 144.2 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 133.6 133.9 134.3 134.5 133.9 134.5 Feeds......................................| 94.5 97.2 97.1 95.1 90.2 93.6 Other supplies.............................| 138.4 138.4 138.9 139.3 139.2 139.4 | Crude materials for further processing...........| 111.8 115.1 121.2 119.9 118.1 124.4 Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................| 104.6 103.1 100.1 97.4 93.0 96.6 Nonfood materials..............................| 112.7 119.2 131.3 131.0 131.1 139.0 Nonfood materials except fuel 2/.............| 109.4 115.9 123.6 118.1 118.6 124.0 Manufacturing 2/...........................| 100.4 106.6 113.9 108.8 109.4 114.5 Construction...............................| 201.5 197.9 195.7 191.5 185.7 184.1 Crude fuel 3/................................| 108.2 114.3 131.3 138.3 137.8 148.5 Manufacturing industries...................| 106.5 112.9 130.8 137.8 138.5 149.0 Nonmanufacturing industries................| 110.2 116.5 133.7 140.8 140.2 151.0 | Special groupings | | Finished goods, excluding foods..................| 136.6 136.8 138.3 138.2 138.2 139.6 Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......| 129.3 129.2 130.3 130.7 130.5 131.4 Intermediate foods and feeds.....................| 112.3 113.1 113.3 112.5 109.7 110.9 Crude materials less agricultural products 2/....| 113.7 120.3 133.0 132.9 132.7 140.7 | Finished energy goods............................| 90.2 90.0 95.2 94.5 94.3 97.8 Finished goods less energy.......................| 144.7 144.9 144.7 144.9 144.7 145.1 Finished consumer goods less energy..............| 147.4 147.6 147.2 147.4 147.0 147.6 | Finished goods less foods and energy.............| 147.4 147.8 147.7 147.9 148.0 148.5 Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....| 153.3 153.8 153.7 153.9 154.0 154.6 Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..| 168.8 169.3 169.0 169.4 169.9 170.4 | Intermediate energy goods........................| 97.5 96.5 101.2 101.7 102.0 106.2 Intermediate materials less energy...............| 135.1 135.2 135.4 135.7 135.3 135.4 Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....| 136.6 136.7 136.9 137.2 137.0 137.0 | Crude energy materials 2/........................| 97.9 106.5 122.9 123.4 124.2 134.3 Crude materials less energy......................| 115.9 114.8 112.0 109.3 105.6 108.3 Crude nonfood materials less energy 3/...........| 149.0 148.7 146.4 143.8 141.9 142.3 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 May 2000 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 The term Producer Price Index (PPI) refers to a family of indexes that measure the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and services. PPIs measure price change from the perspective of the seller. This contrasts with other measures, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI); CPIs measure price change from the purchaser's perspective. Sellers' and purchasers' prices may differ due to government subsidies, sales and excise taxes, and distribution costs. More than 10,000 PPIs for individual products and groups of products are released each month. PPIs are available for the products of virtually every industry in the mining and manufacturing sectors of the U.S. economy. New PPIs are gradually being introduced for the products of industries in the transportation, utilities, trade, finance, and services sectors of the economy. More than 100,000 price quotations per month are organized into three sets of producer price indexes: (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, 2, and 5) organizes products by class of buyer and degree of fabrication. 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). 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. The Bureau publishes price indexes instead of unit dollar prices. 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. The BLS periodically updates the PPI sample of survey respondents to better reflect current conditions when the structure, membership, technology, or product mix of an industry shifts significantly and to spread reporting burden among smaller firms. Results of these resampling efforts are incorporated into the PPI every January and July. As part of an ongoing effort to expand coverage to sectors of the economy other than mining and manufacturing, an increasing number of service sector industries have been introduced into the PPI. The following list of recently introduced service industries includes the month in which an article describing the industry's content appeared in the PPI Detailed Report: PPI Detailed Industry SIC Report Issue Wireless Telecommunications 4812 July 1999 Telephone Communications, Except Radio Telephone 4813 July 1995 Grocery Stores 5411 July 2000 Meat and Fish (Seafood) Markets, 5421 July 2000 Fruit and Vegetable Markets 5431 July 2000 Candy, Nut, and Confectionery Stores 5441 July 2000 Retail Bakeries 5461 July 2000 Miscellaneous Food Stores 5499 July 2000 New Car Dealers 5511 July 2000 Life Insurance Carriers 6311 January 1999 Property and Casualty Insurance 6331 July 1998 Operators and Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings 6512 January 1996 Real Estate Agents and Managers 6531 January 1996 Prepackaged Software 7372 January 1998 Home Health Care Services 8082 January 1997 Legal Services 8111 January 1997 Engineering, Design, Analysis, and Consulting Services 8711 January 1997 Architectural, Design, Analysis, and Consulting Services 8712 January 1997 Premiums for Property and Casualty Insurance 9331 July 1998 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 1992 values of shipments as reported in the Census of Manufactures and other sources. From January 1992 through December 1995, PPI weights were derived from 1987 shipment values. Industry indexes shown in table 4 are also now calculated with 1992 net output weights. This periodic update of the value weights used to calculate the PPI is done to more accurately reflect changes in production and marketing patterns in the economy. 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. 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. 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 14, "Producer Prices," in BLS Handbook of Methods (April 1997), Bulletin 2490. Reprints are available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on request. Calculating Index Changes 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 today." 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. 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 changes are affected by the level of the index in relation to its base period, while percent changes are not. The example below shows the computation of index point and percent changes. 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 Because price data are used for different purposes by different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes seasonally adjusted and unadjusted changes each month. Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data 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 that 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 (April 1997), Bulletin 2490 and (2) "Summary of Changes to the PPI's Seasonal Adjustment Methodology" in the January 1995 issue of Producer Price Indexes.