FOR DATA ONLY: (202) 606-7828 USDL 99-132 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), THURSDAY, http://stats.bls.gov/ppihome.htm MAY 13, 1999 Producer Price Indexes -- April 1999 The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods advanced 0.5 percent in April, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This rise follows a 0.2-percent increase in March and a 0.4-percent decline in February. Excluding the influence of the 29.1-percent rise in gasoline prices, the finished goods index declined 0.1 percent in April. The index for finished goods other than foods and energy increased 0.1 percent, after showing no change a month earlier. Prices received by producers of intermediate goods advanced 0.6 percent, after increasing 0.3 percent in the previous month. The crude goods index gained 1.3 percent, following a 1.0-percent rise in March. (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 Apr. 0.2 0.4 -0.4 0.1 -0.9 0.0 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. -0.2 -0.4 -1.3 0.1 -0.6 -0.2 -0.1 Dec. r0.5 r0 r-1.8 1.0 r0 r-0.7 r-3.6 1999 Jan. r0.4 r1.5 r1.4 -0.1 0.9 r0.2 r1.4 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 Apr. 0.5 -0.9 5.1 0.1 1.1 0.6 1.3 r=revised. Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because data for December 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by respondents. -2- Among finished goods in April, the index for finished energy goods rose more than in the previous month. By contrast, prices for finished consumer foods declined, following an increase in March. The index for finished consumer goods other than foods and energy showed no change, after edging up a month ago. Capital equipment prices showed no change for the second consecutive month. Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods increased 0.5 percent in April to stand at 131.8 (1982=100). From April 1998 through April 1999, the index for finished goods advanced 1.1 percent. During the same period, prices for finished goods other than foods and energy increased 1.7 percent, the index for finished energy goods rose 1.5 percent, and prices for finished consumer foods declined 0.4 percent. Prices received by producers of intermediate goods declined 1.4 percent for the 12 months ended in April, and the index for crude goods dropped 9.9 percent during the same period. Finished goods Prices for finished energy goods advanced 5.1 percent in April, after registering a 1.2-percent gain in March. The April increase for finished energy goods represents the largest monthly increase since a 7.5-percent rise in October 1990. The main cause of this month's acceleration in energy prices was the record 29.1-percent advance in gasoline prices, following a more modest 3.6-percent rise last month. The index for home heating oil also rose more than in the prior month. Prices for residential natural gas fell less than a month earlier. By contrast, the finished lubricants index declined 4.6 percent in April, after a 9.7-percent advance in March. Residential electric power prices decreased, following an increase a month ago. 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 Apr. -0.9 0.2 0.0 -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. 0.8 -1.1 -0.2 -2.9 -0.6 2.0 -2.2 -18.4 Dec. r-0.6 r-3.5 r-0.2 r-3.3 r-4.3 r-4.0 r-1.7 r-16.7 1999 Jan. r0.8 r2.1 r-0.1 -2.4 r5.3 r-2.8 r0.1 -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 Apr. -1.8 4.5 0.2 -1.4 -2.5 8.5 -1.1 -9.9 r=revised. Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may differ from those previously reported because data for December 1998 have been revised to reflect the availability oflate reports and corrections by respondents. -3- The finished consumer foods index declined 0.9 percent in April, after posting a 0.4-percent gain in March. Dairy product prices decreased 7.1 percent, following a 1.4-percent drop in the previous month. The indexes for finfish and shellfish, eggs for fresh use, and pork fell, after rising a month earlier. Fresh and dry vegetable prices rose less than in the prior month. The index for processed young chickens fell more than last month. On the other hand, prices for fresh fruits and melons advanced 0.9 percent, following a 5.5-percent decline in March. The bakery products index also rose, after falling a month ago. The index for finished consumer goods other than foods and energy showed no change in April, after registering a 0.1-percent gain a month earlier. Advancing prices for passenger cars, light motor trucks, passenger car radial tires, women's apparel, and prescription drugs were offset by declining prices for toilet tissue and stock; soft surface floor coverings; cosmetics and other toilet preparations; girls', children's, and infants' apparel; and men's footwear, excluding athletic. The capital equipment index showed no change for the past two months. In April, price increases for light motor trucks, construction machinery and equipment, agricultural machinery and equipment, truck trailers, and for pumps, compressors, and equipment were counteracted by price declines for electronic computers, civilian aircraft, line transmission equipment, nonwood furniture and store fixtures, and x-ray and electromedical equipment. Intermediate goods The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and Components rose 0.6 percent in April, seasonally adjusted, after registering a 0.3-percent increase in March. The April increase was the largest one-month rise since a 0.6-increase was posted for April 1995. The main cause for the acceleration in intermediate goods prices was faster price increases for intermediate energy goods. By contrast, price increases for construction materials and components slowed from March's rate. The index for intermediate foods and feeds fell more than a month ago. The nondurable manufacturing materials index advanced 0.2 percent for the second consecutive month. Prices for durable manufacturing materials declined 0.2 percent, the same as in the previous month. Excluding foods and energy, the index for intermediate materials rose 0.2 percent, following a 0.1-percent rise in the previous month. (See table B.) The intermediate energy goods index advanced 4.5 percent, after posting a 2.2-percent increase in March. The last larger one-month increase in intermediate energy goods was a 7.5-percent gain in October 1990. In April, a 29.1-percent jump in gasoline prices, following a 3.6- percent rise in March, led the acceleration in intermediate energy prices. The indexes for jet fuels and diesel fuel also rose more than in the previous month. On the other hand, the commercial electric power index turned down 1.5 percent, following a 0.4-percent gain a month ago. Prices for finished lubricants also fell, after rising in March. The industrial electric power index fell more than in the prior month. Prices for residual fuels rose less than in the previous month. Prices for materials and components for construction increased 0.1 percent in April, after a 0.3-percent rise in the prior month. This makes the fourth consecutive monthly increase in the index for construction materials. In April, rising prices for millwork, concrete products, plastic construction products, asphalt felts and coatings, prepared paint and major appliances slightly outweighed falling prices for plywood, nonferrous wire and cable, softwood lumber, and for hot rolled bars, plates, and structural shapes. -4- The index for intermediate foods and feeds declined 1.8 percent, following a 1.6-percent decrease in March. Fluid milk prices dropped 14.6 percent, after a 1.1-percent decline in the prior month. The index for young chickens also fell more than in April. Prices for boxed beef and pork turned down, following an increase in the prior month. The index for refined sugar showed no change, after advancing a month ago. By contrast, prices for prepared animal feeds turned up 0.3 percent, after falling 2.8 percent in the prior month. The indexes for natural, processed, and imitation cheese and for crude vegetable oils also rose after declining in March. The index for nondurable manufacturing materials increased 0.2 percent, following a 0.2-percent gain in March. Rising prices for paperboard, thermoplastic resins, primary organic chemicals, writing and printing papers, embroideries and lace goods, and fertilizer materials outweighed falling prices for basic inorganic chemicals, gray fabrics, newsprint, broadwoven finished fabrics, and stemmed and redried tobacco. The durable manufacturing materials index decreased 0.2 percent in April, after posting a 0.2-percent decline in March. Falling prices for steel mill products, softwood plywood, cement, nonferrous wire and cable, nonferrous mill shapes, and flat glass more than offset rising prices for plastic resins and materials, building paper and board, and prepared paint. Crude goods The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing advanced 1.3 percent in April, seasonally adjusted, following a 1.0-percent increase in March. Prices for crude energy materials also rose more than in the previous month. By contrast, the indexes for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs and basic industrial materials fell more than a month ago. (See table B.) The index for crude energy materials rose 8.5 percent in April, after advancing 6.1 percent in March. This acceleration was led by an upturn in natural gas prices which rose 1.7 percent, following a 1.7-percent decline in the prior month. The crude petroleum index continued upward at 27.3 percent, after advancing 27.1 percent in the previous month. Crude petroleum prices rose 11.3 percent for the twelve months ended in April 1999. The coal index somewhat offset the acceleration for crude energy materials by rising less than in March. Prices for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs dropped 2.5 percent in April, following a 1.3-percent loss in March. The index for bulk fluid milk also fell at a faster rate than last month. Slaughter cattle prices turned down 1.0 percent, after rising 4.6 percent in the prior month. Prices for unprocessed finfish and slaughter turkeys turned down, following increases in the previous month. The Irish potatoes for processing index showed no change, after advancing a month ago. On the other hand, corn prices fell 0.9 percent in April, following a 7.2-percent decrease in March. April prices for wheat and for slaughter broilers and fryers also declined less than a month ago. The indexes for soybeans and slaughter hogs turned up, after falling in the previous month. The index for basic industrial materials decreased 1.1 percent in April, following a 0.8-percent fall in March. This faster rate of decline was led by a downturn in prices for leaf tobacco, which dropped 16.4- percent in April following a 1.8-percent gain last month. Prices for raw cotton, gold ores, softwood logs, and wastepaper also turned down, after rising in the prior month. The copper base scrap index rose less than a month ago. On the other hand, iron and steel scrap prices increased 0.3 percent in April, following a 4.4-percent drop in March. The indexes for aluminum base scrap and cattle hides also turned up, after declining in the previous month. Prices for copper ores fell less than in March. -5- 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 5.3 percent in April, following a 4.0-percent increase in March. (Net output price indexes are not seasonally adjusted.) Price increases for the crude petroleum and natural gas industries accelerated from 6.7 percent in March to 9.2 percent in April. By contrast, prices for the coal mining and nonmetallic minerals mining industry groups slowed from March to April. The index for the metal mining industry group fell more than in the previous month. In April, the Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic mining industries stood at 68.0 (December 1984=100), 8.2 percent below its year-ago level. Manufacturing. The Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic manufacturing industries advanced 1.0 percent in April, after increasing 0.2 percent in March. Most of this acceleration was due to the index for the petroleum refining industry group which jumped 23.6 percent, after rising 5.7 percent in the prior month. Among other manufacturing industries in April, the largest increases were for rubber products and paper products. However, prices declined 1.0 percent for food and kindred products. In April, the Producer Price Index for the net output of the total domestic manufacturing industries stood at 127.4 (December 1984=100), 1.0 percent higher than its year-ago level. Other. Among other industries in March, increases were registered for real estate agents and managers, passenger car rental (without drivers), scheduled air transportation, hotels and motels, and radio broadcasting. By contrast, price declines occurred for life insurance carriers, truck rental and leasing (without drivers), and deep sea foreign transportation of freight. ***** Producer Price Index data for May 1999 will be released on Friday, June 11, 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| |Apr. 1999 from:| | |_______________________|_______________|__________________________ | Dec. | | | | | | | | | Dec. |Mar. |Apr. | Apr. | Mar. |Jan. to|Feb. to |Mar. to | 1998 1/|1998 2/|1999 2/|1999 2/| 1998 | 1999 | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. _________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|________ | Finished goods...................................| 100.000 131.1 131.2 131.8 1.1 0.5 -0.4 0.2 0.5 Finished consumer goods........................| 74.764 129.4 129.6 130.4 1.5 .6 -.6 .3 .6 Finished consumer foods......................| 23.289 134.5 134.6 133.2 -.4 -1.0 -1.4 .4 -.9 Crude......................................| 1.693 129.3 130.8 127.8 -3.4 -2.3 -9.0 5.8 -2.5 Processed..................................| 21.596 134.9 134.9 133.6 -.2 -1.0 -.8 0 -.7 Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....| 51.475 127.1 127.3 129.1 2.5 1.4 -.3 .3 1.3 Nondurable goods less foods................| 35.162 122.7 123.2 125.9 3.6 2.2 -.3 .5 1.8 Durable goods..............................| 16.313 133.8 133.1 132.9 -.1 -.2 -.1 -.2 .1 Capital equipment..............................| 25.236 137.9 137.8 137.7 0 -.1 .1 0 0 Manufacturing industries.....................| 6.615 138.1 138.5 138.5 .5 0 .1 .1 0 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 18.621 137.7 137.5 137.3 -.2 -.1 .1 0 0 | Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.| 100.000 120.9 120.8 121.6 -1.4 .7 -.5 .3 .6 Materials and components for manufacturing.....| 47.742 124.1 123.5 123.3 -2.8 -.2 -.6 0 -.2 Materials for food manufacturing.............| 3.626 124.0 121.1 117.8 -3.2 -2.7 -2.0 -1.0 -2.5 Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......| 15.762 123.3 122.7 122.9 -4.1 .2 -.8 .2 .2 Materials for durable manufacturing..........| 10.444 124.2 123.4 123.2 -5.2 -.2 -.5 -.2 -.2 Components for manufacturing.................| 17.910 125.8 125.7 125.7 -.2 0 -.1 0 .1 Materials and components for construction......| 13.989 146.6 147.7 147.9 .6 .1 .2 .3 .1 Processed fuels and lubricants.................| 11.868 75.8 76.7 80.5 .5 5.0 -1.4 2.2 4.4 Manufacturing industries ....................| 4.597 81.8 81.8 83.9 -1.2 2.6 -1.9 1.6 2.3 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 7.271 72.1 73.5 78.4 1.6 6.7 -1.2 2.7 5.8 Containers.....................................| 3.880 138.7 138.0 140.3 -.5 1.7 -.6 .2 1.7 Supplies.......................................| 22.521 134.3 133.7 133.9 -.9 .1 -.2 -.1 .2 Manufacturing industries.....................| 5.122 140.7 140.3 140.5 -.1 .1 -.1 .1 .1 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 17.399 131.6 130.9 131.1 -1.1 .2 -.3 -.2 .2 Feeds......................................| 1.231 93.2 87.8 88.1 -13.4 .3 -2.2 -3.5 .3 Other supplies.............................| 16.168 136.2 136.1 136.3 0 .1 -.1 .1 .1 | Crude materials for further processing...........| 100.000 89.8 89.5 90.4 -9.9 1.0 -3.4 1.0 1.3 Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................| 45.600 97.0 98.9 95.8 -9.5 -3.1 -2.8 -1.3 -2.5 Nonfood materials..............................| 54.400 81.6 79.8 83.5 -10.1 4.6 -4.0 3.1 4.5 Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............| 29.494 72.4 77.8 83.3 -5.8 7.1 -2.8 5.6 7.0 Manufacturing 3/...........................| 27.957 65.3 70.4 75.6 -5.9 7.4 -2.9 6.0 7.3 Construction...............................| 1.537 188.4 194.3 194.0 -4.7 -.2 .2 .5 -.6 Crude fuel 4/................................| 24.906 87.7 76.2 77.1 -16.0 1.2 -5.3 -.1 1.2 Manufacturing industries...................| 2.071 84.2 74.3 75.5 -15.9 1.6 -3.6 -.5 1.6 Nonmanufacturing industries................| 22.835 89.6 77.7 78.7 -15.9 1.3 -5.6 -.1 1.3 | Special groupings | | Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 76.711 130.0 130.1 131.3 1.6 .9 -.2 .2 .8 Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 95.143 121.3 121.3 122.3 -1.2 .8 -.4 .3 .7 Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/ 4.857 114.5 110.9 108.7 -6.0 -2.0 -2.0 -1.6 -1.8 Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 51.467 80.6 78.8 82.9 -10.4 5.2 -4.0 3.3 5.3 | Finished energy goods............................|5/ 11.936 70.8 71.4 75.8 1.5 6.2 -1.0 1.2 5.1 Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 88.064 142.9 142.8 142.4 1.1 -.3 -.3 .1 -.2 Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 62.828 144.9 144.8 144.2 1.5 -.4 -.5 .1 -.3 | Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 64.775 146.1 146.0 145.9 1.7 -.1 0 0 .1 Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 39.539 151.6 151.4 151.3 2.7 -.1 -.1 .1 0 Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 23.226 165.4 165.7 165.8 4.8 .1 -.1 .1 .1 | Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 11.960 75.5 76.4 80.2 .4 5.0 -1.7 2.2 4.5 Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 88.040 131.1 130.7 130.7 -1.7 0 -.3 0 .1 Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 83.183 132.1 132.0 132.2 -1.4 .2 -.2 .1 .2 | Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 32.487 64.2 61.3 66.5 -8.5 8.5 -7.4 6.1 8.5 Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 67.514 104.9 106.7 104.1 -10.6 -2.4 -1.5 -1.1 -2.1 Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 21.913 128.1 130.0 128.9 -12.7 -.8 1.1 -.8 -1.1 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 December 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 | | |Apr. 1999 from:| code | Grouping |_______________________|_______________|________________________ | | | | | | | | | | |Dec. |Mar. |Apr. | Apr. | Mar. |Jan. to|Feb. to|Mar. to | |1998 1/|1999 1/|1999 1/| 1998 | 1999 | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. ___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ | | |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 131.1 131.2 131.8 1.1 0.5 -0.4 0.2 0.5 | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 129.4 129.6 130.4 1.5 .6 -.6 .3 .6 | FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 134.5 134.6 133.2 -.4 -1.0 -1.4 .4 -.9 | | 01-11 | Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................| 88.3 100.5 101.4 12.3 .9 2.6 -5.5 .9 01-13 | Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 137.9 114.4 132.5 -21.0 15.8 -23.5 20.2 15.8 01-71-07 | Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100)..................| 102.9 89.5 74.8 -10.5 -16.4 -9.7 4.0 -10.0 02-11 | Bakery products 2/..................................| 176.7 177.3 177.6 1.1 .2 .4 -.4 .2 02-13 | Milled rice 2/......................................| 128.7 126.8 125.6 2.6 -.9 -.8 -1.3 -.9 02-14-02 | Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 122.4 122.5 122.4 -.2 -.1 .2 -.5 -.1 02-21-01 | Beef and veal.......................................| 98.8 102.7 102.2 3.0 -.5 -2.4 2.4 2.3 02-21-04 | Pork................................................| 80.2 87.6 86.0 -10.5 -1.8 -6.3 1.0 -3.1 02-22-03 | Processed young chickens............................| 120.5 113.9 110.4 -7.8 -3.1 -3.0 -.7 -2.8 02-22-06 | Processed turkeys...................................| 97.6 87.3 89.0 -2.5 1.9 -.4 1.3 .2 02-23 | Finfish and shellfish...............................| 175.6 204.6 184.9 -.5 -9.6 1.0 9.4 -7.1 02-3 | Dairy products......................................| 148.4 142.6 132.1 .5 -7.4 -3.0 -1.4 -7.1 02-4 | Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 127.2 127.5 128.1 2.2 .5 .3 .2 .5 02-55 | Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 169.1 169.4 169.4 .8 0 -.5 -.4 0 02-62 | Soft drinks.........................................| 134.8 137.2 137.6 1.7 .3 .6 .6 .4 02-63-01 | Roasted coffee 2/...................................| 136.9 136.8 136.7 -8.9 -.1 0 -.1 -.1 02-78 | Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 148.2 137.6 138.2 -3.1 .4 -4.0 -1.5 .4 | | | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 127.1 127.3 129.1 2.5 1.4 -.3 .3 1.3 | | 02-61 | Alcoholic beverages.................................| 136.5 137.1 137.2 1.6 .1 -.1 .1 0 03-81-01 | Women's apparel 2/..................................| 123.1 122.1 122.5 .5 .3 .1 -.2 .3 03-81-02 | Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 133.3 133.0 132.8 -.2 -.2 -.1 -.3 -.1 03-81-03 | Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 121.0 118.5 117.6 -3.8 -.8 -.5 -2.3 -.8 03-82 | Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 123.2 123.7 123.5 .2 -.2 0 .5 -.2 04-3 | Footwear............................................| 144.9 145.6 144.6 -.1 -.7 .3 -.2 -.6 05-41 | Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 107.5 107.3 107.1 -1.2 -.2 -.6 .2 -.1 05-51 | Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 117.2 112.3 109.8 -3.8 -2.2 -.5 -1.8 -1.7 05-71 | Gasoline............................................| 43.2 47.0 64.1 18.7 36.4 .2 3.6 29.1 05-73-02-01| Fuel oil No. 2......................................| 38.8 43.0 50.3 -1.8 17.0 -4.1 13.1 14.3 06-35 | Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription) 2/.....| 335.6 341.1 341.9 4.9 .2 .8 .1 .2 06-36 | Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter) 2/..| 185.0 186.0 186.8 1.5 .4 -.2 .4 .4 06-71 | Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 125.5 125.5 125.6 -.5 .1 0 .1 .1 06-75 | Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 133.6 134.1 133.8 1.1 -.2 0 .5 -.2 07-12 | Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................| 93.9 92.3 93.7 -.5 1.5 -.5 -.2 1.5 09-15-01 | Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 145.6 146.7 143.6 -1.0 -2.1 -1.2 1.3 -2.1 09-31-01 | Newspaper circulation 2/............................| 204.3 207.6 207.4 2.3 -.1 -.1 1.6 -.1 09-32-01 | Periodical circulation..............................| 195.9 196.0 195.9 1.9 -.1 .2 -.3 .2 09-33 | Book publishing 2/..................................| 212.2 211.3 211.9 3.6 .3 -.6 -.2 .3 12-1 | Household furniture 2/..............................| 149.6 150.1 150.2 1.6 .1 .3 .1 .1 12-3 | Floor coverings 2/..................................| 127.9 128.0 127.1 -.9 -.7 .1 .6 -.7 12-4 | Household appliances ...............................| 108.8 108.3 108.6 -.1 .3 .5 -1.1 .2 12-5 | Home electronic equipment 2/........................| 74.5 74.2 74.1 -3.5 -.1 -.3 -.1 -.1 12-62 | Household glassware 2/..............................| 162.4 162.9 164.3 .7 .9 -.4 .1 .9 12-64 | Household flatware 2/...............................| 140.0 140.0 140.0 .7 0 0 0 0 12-66 | Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 132.2 132.3 131.9 .2 -.3 0 .1 -.3 14-11-01 | Passenger cars......................................| 134.1 131.1 130.7 -1.1 -.3 -.3 -.5 .2 15-11 | Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 123.9 124.1 124.0 -.5 -.1 -.2 .2 -.2 15-12 | Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 126.2 126.4 126.0 -.2 -.3 .4 -.1 -.3 15-2 | Tobacco products 2/.................................| 364.1 363.5 363.4 34.1 0 0 .1 0 15-5 | Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 155.7 156.7 157.6 2.7 .6 .5 .1 .6 15-94-02 | Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 127.7 127.7 127.8 -.4 .1 -.9 0 .1 15-94-04 | Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 139.7 139.9 140.1 .4 .1 -.1 -.1 .1 | | | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 137.9 137.8 137.7 0 -.1 .1 0 0 | | 11-1 | Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 150.8 150.2 150.9 .3 .5 .1 .1 .5 11-2 | Construction machinery and equipment................| 145.5 146.7 147.4 1.7 .5 .1 .3 .5 11-37 | Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 160.2 160.5 160.4 .3 -.1 .1 .1 -.1 11-38 | Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 158.5 159.4 159.6 1.4 .1 .1 .1 .1 11-39 | Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 139.0 139.2 139.4 .4 .1 .1 .1 .1 11-41 | Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 149.7 151.4 151.6 2.0 .1 .3 .1 .2 11-44 | Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 132.1 132.6 132.6 1.2 0 .2 .2 0 11-51 | Electronic computers (Dec. 1990=100) 2/.............| 21.8 20.5 19.7 -24.2 -3.9 -1.4 -1.0 -3.9 11-62 | Textile machinery 2/................................| 153.1 154.3 154.3 .8 0 .7 .2 0 11-64 | Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100)..........| 161.4 161.8 162.4 1.6 .4 -.8 .2 .4 11-65 | Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 140.4 141.0 140.8 .6 -.1 -.8 0 -.1 11-74 | Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 130.6 130.5 130.5 -.2 0 -.1 -.6 0 11-76 | Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100) 2/...| 113.5 114.2 114.1 -.3 -.1 .5 .1 -.1 11-79-05 | X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 106.1 106.1 105.8 -.8 -.3 -.1 .2 -.3 11-91 | Oil field and gas field machinery ..................| 126.3 126.5 126.6 .8 .1 .2 .1 .1 11-92 | Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 142.3 143.6 143.9 1.3 .2 .1 .3 .2 11-93 | Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 112.3 112.0 112.3 -.1 .3 .1 0 .3 12-2 | Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 155.4 156.3 156.0 .6 -.2 .4 .1 -.2 14-11-05 | Light motor trucks..................................| 158.1 158.1 158.4 1.5 .2 .4 -.2 .3 14-11-06 | Heavy motor trucks 2/...............................| 145.3 146.1 146.1 3.3 0 .1 .2 0 14-14 | Truck trailers 2/...................................| 135.3 135.2 135.9 .7 .5 -.1 .1 .5 14-21-02 | Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 150.8 151.1 151.0 .4 -.1 0 .2 -.1 14-31 | Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 145.8 145.8 145.8 0 0 0 0 0 14-4 | Railroad equipment..................................| 135.2 134.6 134.3 -.9 -.2 .1 -.1 -.4 | | |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 120.9 120.8 121.6 -1.4 .7 -.5 .3 .6 | | | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 114.5 110.9 108.7 -6.0 -2.0 -2.0 -1.6 -1.8 | | 02-12-03 | Flour 2/............................................| 107.3 104.6 103.0 -8.6 -1.5 -.6 -1.5 -1.5 02-53 | Refined sugar 2/....................................| 120.3 122.6 122.6 2.6 0 1.4 2.0 0 02-54 | Confectionery materials.............................| 92.8 93.5 93.7 .6 .2 -.5 .2 0 02-72 | Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................| 122.0 95.1 98.0 -29.4 3.0 -9.5 -15.1 3.0 02-9 | Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 101.9 97.1 97.4 -10.7 .3 -1.7 -2.8 .3 | | | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 121.3 121.3 122.3 -1.2 .8 -.4 .3 .7 | | 03-1 | Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 106.9 104.5 104.4 -5.9 -.1 .1 -.5 -.1 03-2 | Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 111.3 108.7 108.7 -4.1 0 -1.8 .6 0 03-3 | Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 118.8 117.7 115.9 -5.9 -1.5 -.8 .8 -1.5 03-4 | Finished fabrics....................................| 122.5 122.4 122.7 -1.5 .2 -.2 0 0 03-83-03 | Industrial textile products 2/......................| 128.7 128.9 128.9 -1.2 0 0 -.2 0 04-2 | Leather.............................................| 177.9 174.1 176.6 0 1.4 0 .4 2.1 05-32 | Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................| 54.7 53.1 53.1 -14.9 0 -1.6 7.3 0 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 | | |Apr. 1999 from:| code | Grouping |_______________________|_______________|________________________ | | | | | | | | | | |Dec. |Mar. |Apr. | Apr. | Mar. |Jan. to|Feb. to|Mar. to | |1998 1/|1999 1/|1999 1/| 1998 | 1999 | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. ___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ | | | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS | | -Continued..........................................| 05-42 | Commercial electric power...........................| 125.2 126.2 124.2 -1.2 -1.6 -0.3 0.4 -1.5 05-43 | Industrial electric power...........................| 126.6 126.5 125.2 -.9 -1.0 -.5 -.1 -.7 05-52 | Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 110.6 105.4 102.9 -3.1 -2.4 -1.0 -1.6 -.1 05-53 | Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 105.1 99.1 95.0 -8.0 -4.1 -2.9 -.2 -2.2 05-54 | Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100)...| 81.8 74.3 71.1 -6.9 -4.3 .8 -6.9 4.3 05-72-03 | Jet fuels...........................................| 37.4 38.0 48.9 3.4 28.7 -2.7 9.9 28.4 05-73-03 | No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................| 39.0 42.6 53.1 6.2 24.6 -3.3 16.4 18.8 05-74 | Residual fuel 2/....................................| 35.8 34.9 40.4 -18.1 15.8 -19.9 23.8 15.8 06-1 | Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 118.9 117.4 116.8 -4.5 -.5 -.8 -.5 -.5 06-21 | Prepared paint......................................| 155.8 157.0 157.5 1.7 .3 .2 -.3 .1 06-22 | Paint materials 2/..................................| 143.6 143.1 144.3 .5 .8 -1.1 .1 .8 06-31 | Medicinal and botanical chemicals ..................| 135.2 138.6 138.8 2.7 .1 -1.6 .2 .1 06-4 | Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................| 110.3 78.0 81.7 -26.5 4.7 -10.5 -21.1 4.7 06-51 | Mixed fertilizers...................................| 113.6 114.5 114.3 -1.3 -.2 -.5 0 -.3 06-52-01 | Nitrogenates........................................| 95.9 97.2 98.4 -11.3 1.2 -.2 .3 .6 06-52-02 | Phosphates 2/.......................................| 114.7 114.3 114.9 3.3 .5 1.3 0 .5 06-53 | Other agricultural chemicals........................| 146.3 146.4 145.6 -2.4 -.5 .1 .8 -.1 06-6 | Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 115.9 117.2 119.2 -8.8 1.7 -.3 1.8 1.7 07-11-02 | Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 115.8 115.8 115.4 -1.7 -.3 0 .3 -.3 07-21 | Plastic construction products ......................| 124.9 124.1 125.4 -1.6 1.0 .3 -.6 .5 07-22 | Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes 2/..| 126.9 125.0 125.6 -2.3 .5 -1.0 .1 .5 07-26 | Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 117.2 117.0 117.7 .4 .6 .1 -.2 .6 08-11 | Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 175.1 193.7 193.1 -.2 -.3 3.0 3.7 -.3 08-12 | Hardwood lumber ....................................| 176.2 176.5 176.4 -1.9 -.1 -1.0 .7 -.1 08-2 | Millwork 2/.........................................| 171.4 172.2 173.2 1.3 .6 .2 .2 .6 08-3 | Plywood 2/..........................................| 161.1 172.7 169.5 11.2 -1.9 4.4 2.2 -1.9 09-11 | Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 116.7 110.2 110.4 -9.1 .2 -2.7 -2.5 .2 09-13 | Paper...............................................| 141.4 139.8 139.8 -4.8 0 -.6 -.6 .2 09-14 | Paperboard..........................................| 143.6 146.6 149.4 -3.7 1.9 -.8 4.6 2.5 09-15-03 | Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 151.9 150.6 154.3 -.3 2.5 -.5 .3 2.5 09-2 | Building paper and board 2/.........................| 129.3 137.1 138.2 5.5 .8 .8 3.9 .8 09-37 | Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 152.8 152.3 152.2 .3 -.1 .1 .1 -.1 10-15 | Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 135.0 135.0 135.3 .1 .2 -.3 -.1 .3 10-17 | Steel mill products 2/..............................| 108.7 105.5 105.1 -8.9 -.4 -1.2 -1.0 -.4 10-22 | Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 97.6 94.1 94.0 -16.9 -.1 -3.5 -2.1 -.1 10-25-01 | Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 137.1 134.2 133.7 -7.3 -.4 -1.1 -.2 -.4 10-25-02 | Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 146.4 143.2 144.4 -8.8 .8 -.6 -1.4 .8 10-26 | Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 137.4 134.0 133.0 -6.7 -.7 -1.0 -.5 -.7 10-3 | Metal containers 2/.................................| 107.1 107.0 107.0 -1.5 0 -1.5 0 0 10-4 | Hardware............................................| 147.2 147.3 147.8 .6 .3 -.3 -.1 .4 10-5 | Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 174.0 176.1 176.1 .2 0 -1.5 .9 .1 10-6 | Heating equipment...................................| 154.0 153.1 153.6 .1 .3 -.1 -.1 .3 10-7 | Fabricated structural metal products................| 142.8 142.7 142.9 .7 .1 -.1 0 .1 10-88 | Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 130.2 130.9 130.7 .5 -.2 -.1 .2 -.2 10-89 | Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 125.8 125.4 125.5 -.8 .1 -.2 -.3 .1 11-45 | Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 158.9 160.6 160.8 2.2 .1 .3 .3 .3 11-48 | Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 136.0 136.1 136.2 1.9 .1 -.1 0 .1 11-49-02 | Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100) 2/.....| 159.0 160.4 160.6 2.7 .1 .1 .3 .1 11-49-05 | Ball and roller bearings............................| 165.8 166.3 166.8 1.3 .3 .1 .1 .5 11-71 | Wiring devices......................................| 152.6 151.4 151.5 -1.8 .1 -1.0 -.5 .1 11-73 | Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 145.9 146.4 146.3 .4 -.1 0 .1 -.2 11-75 | Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 149.8 149.8 150.4 1.6 .4 .1 -.2 .5 11-78 | Electronic components and accessories 2/............| 99.1 98.9 98.7 -1.7 -.2 -.3 0 -.2 11-94 | Internal combustion engines.........................| 141.0 142.6 142.7 1.6 .1 .6 -.3 .1 11-95 | Machine shop products 2/............................| 136.8 136.8 136.8 .4 0 0 0 0 13-11 | Flat glass 2/.......................................| 106.8 106.9 105.8 -.9 -1.0 0 2.4 -1.0 13-22 | Cement..............................................| 148.0 149.3 150.4 3.4 .7 .1 .6 -1.3 13-3 | Concrete products...................................| 141.4 142.7 143.6 2.9 .6 .3 -.1 .4 13-6 | Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................| 99.3 98.3 99.5 .5 1.2 -1.5 -.3 1.2 13-7 | Gypsum products 2/..................................| 184.7 195.0 195.4 13.6 .2 2.9 2.0 .2 13-8 | Glass containers 2/.................................| 126.0 125.9 126.2 .2 .2 -.6 .1 .2 14-12 | Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 114.5 113.8 113.6 -1.0 -.2 0 .1 -.2 14-23 | Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 137.4 139.8 139.3 1.5 -.4 .9 -.2 .6 14-25 | Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 143.7 144.0 142.7 .4 -.9 -.2 .3 -.9 15-42 | Photographic supplies 2/............................| 129.0 125.1 125.1 -3.0 0 -3.0 0 0 15-6 | Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 144.0 144.6 144.7 1.2 .1 -.3 .6 .2 | | | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 89.8 89.5 90.4 -9.9 1.0 -3.4 1.0 1.3 | | | CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 97.0 98.9 95.8 -9.5 -3.1 -2.8 -1.3 -2.5 | | 01-21 | Wheat 2/............................................| 85.9 79.6 78.6 -15.1 -1.3 -4.3 -4.1 -1.3 01-22-02-05| Corn................................................| 83.6 84.7 83.2 -15.4 -1.8 -1.3 -7.2 -.9 01-31 | Slaughter cattle 2/.................................| 85.7 97.4 96.4 -2.0 -1.0 1.7 4.6 -1.0 01-32 | Slaughter hogs......................................| 16.6 44.8 48.1 -16.6 7.4 -1.2 -6.4 6.6 01-41-02 | Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 141.4 132.1 122.7 -11.1 -7.1 2.4 -5.4 -3.7 01-42 | Slaughter turkeys...................................| 123.6 103.9 108.8 8.9 4.7 1.1 2.4 -.2 01-6 | Fluid milk..........................................| 132.4 110.2 96.2 -5.1 -12.7 -8.3 -5.4 -11.3 01-83-01-31| Soybeans 2/.........................................| 92.7 78.5 80.8 -25.0 2.9 -8.5 -6.5 2.9 02-52-01-01| Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 117.6 118.4 119.6 1.8 1.0 -.3 -.3 1.0 | | | CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................| 81.6 79.8 83.5 -10.1 4.6 -4.0 3.1 4.5 | | 01-51-01-01| Raw cotton..........................................| 98.7 97.4 95.5 -5.6 -2.0 -5.1 2.5 -3.7 01-92-01-01| Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................| 112.3 114.6 95.8 -3.8 -16.4 .2 1.8 -16.4 04-11 | Cattle hides 2/.....................................| 143.7 132.8 133.6 -12.2 .6 -.6 -7.1 .6 05-1 | Coal 2/.............................................| 97.1 92.4 92.7 -2.6 .3 -4.8 2.4 .3 05-31 | Natural gas 2/......................................| 83.4 69.8 71.0 -21.2 1.7 -5.0 -1.7 1.7 05-61 | Crude petroleum 2/..................................| 26.1 33.3 42.4 11.3 27.3 -13.8 27.1 27.3 08-5 | Logs, timber, etc...................................| 197.9 202.4 201.4 -7.3 -.5 -.5 .1 -.9 09-12 | Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 116.3 142.7 142.5 -7.3 -.1 13.3 2.2 -.1 10-11 | Iron ore 2/.........................................| 95.2 95.2 94.9 -.3 -.3 0 .3 -.3 10-12 | Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 118.5 124.1 124.5 -32.4 .3 2.9 -4.4 .3 10-21 | Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............| 61.9 60.9 59.8 -15.5 -1.8 2.0 -1.0 -1.8 10-23-01 | Copper base scrap 2/................................| 100.5 98.9 102.3 -18.1 3.4 -4.4 9.2 3.4 10-23-02 | Aluminum base scrap.................................| 144.6 145.8 148.8 -15.8 2.1 .6 -.8 2.8 13-21 | Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 154.2 155.9 156.7 2.8 .5 .6 .5 .1 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1/ The indexes for December 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 | Dec. 1998 |March 1999 |April 1999 | _________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________| | | | | | | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................| 368.0 | 368.3 | 370.0 | | All commodities................................| 122.8 | 122.8 | 123.5 | | | | | | | | | | | | MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS | | | | | | | | | | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....| 120.5 | 120.3 | 118.3 | 01 | Farm products................................| 99.0 | 99.1 | 96.9 | 02 | Processed foods and feeds....................| 131.1 | 130.8 | 128.9 | | | | | | | Industrial commodities.........................| 123.3 | 123.3 | 124.5 | 03 | Textile products and apparel.................| 122.0 | 121.1 | 121.0 | 04 | Hides, skins, leather, and related products..| 146.6 | 144.6 | 144.9 | 05 | Fuels and related products and power 2/......| 70.4 | 70.4 | 75.0 | 06 | Chemicals and allied products 2/.............| 142.7 | 142.8 | 143.0 | 07 | Rubber and plastic products..................| 122.3 | 121.7 | 122.4 | 08 | Lumber and wood products.....................| 175.9 | 181.9 | 181.6 | 09 | Pulp, paper, and allied products.............| 170.4 | 171.2 | 171.9 | 10 | Metals and metal products....................| 124.0 | 123.0 | 122.9 | 11 | Machinery and equipment......................| 124.5 | 124.7 | 124.6 | 12 | Furniture and household durables.............| 131.4 | 131.6 | 131.5 | 13 | Nonmetallic mineral products.................| 136.6 | 137.8 | 138.2 | 14 | Transportation equipment.....................| 142.3 | 141.8 | 141.5 | 15 | Miscellaneous products.......................| 166.0 | 165.6 | 165.2 | | | | | | | Industrial commodities less fuels and related | | | | | products and power...........................| 138.7 | 138.7 | 138.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS | | | | | | | | | 01-1 | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables, | | | | | and tree nuts................................| 116.5 | 114.8 | 122.5 | 01-2 | Grains.........................................| 87.1 | 84.9 | 83.1 | 01-3 | Slaughter livestock............................| 67.3 | 83.6 | 83.8 | 01-4 | Slaughter poultry..............................| 136.2 | 124.8 | 118.7 | 01-5 | Plant and animal fibers........................| 97.7 | 96.3 | 94.4 | 01-7 | Chicken eggs...................................| 121.5 | 104.9 | 85.3 | 01-8 | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................| 113.9 | 102.2 | 105.0 | 01-83 | Oilseeds.......................................| 105.5 | 91.3 | 93.5 | 01-9 | Other farm products............................| 167.4 | 171.0 | 142.9 | 02-1 | Cereal and bakery products.....................| 157.6 | 157.1 | 157.2 | 02-2 | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................| 107.9 | 112.2 | 109.6 | 02-22 | Processed poultry..............................| 118.3 | 113.6 | 111.4 | 02-5 | Sugar and confectionery........................| 134.4 | 135.2 | 135.3 | 02-6 | Beverages and beverage materials...............| 137.3 | 138.4 | 138.8 | 02-63 | Packaged beverage materials....................| 134.6 | 134.5 | 134.5 | 02-7 | Fats and oils..................................| 140.1 | 123.8 | 123.0 | 03-81 | Apparel........................................| 127.0 | 126.3 | 126.3 | 04-4 | Other leather and related products.............| 144.7 | 145.4 | 145.1 | 05-3 | Gas fuels 2/...................................| 74.9 | 64.6 | 65.5 | 05-4 | Electric power.................................| 125.8 | 126.0 | 125.0 | 05-7 | Refined petroleum products.....................| 42.2 | 45.7 | 58.4 | 06-3 | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................| 249.1 | 252.8 | 253.8 | 06-5 | Agricultural chemicals and products............| 125.5 | 125.8 | 125.9 | 06-7 | Other chemicals and allied products............| 135.0 | 134.9 | 134.7 | 07-1 | Rubber and rubber products.....................| 114.9 | 114.3 | 114.6 | 07-11 | Rubber, except natural rubber..................| 115.2 | 115.2 | 114.8 | 07-13 | Miscellaneous rubber products..................| 138.3 | 138.3 | 138.1 | 07-2 | Plastic products...............................| 129.1 | 128.4 | 129.3 | 08-1 | Lumber.........................................| 173.5 | 186.4 | 186.0 | 09-1 | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building | | | | | paper and board..............................| 143.2 | 143.3 | 144.2 | 09-15 | Converted paper and paperboard products........| 150.6 | 150.2 | 151.2 | 10-1 | Iron and steel.................................| 114.5 | 112.8 | 112.5 | 10-2 | Nonferrous metals..............................| 116.4 | 114.6 | 114.4 | 10-25 | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................| 131.7 | 129.0 | 128.8 | 11-3 | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........| 147.5 | 147.9 | 148.1 | 11-4 | General purpose machinery and equipment........| 148.3 | 149.1 | 149.4 | 11-6 | Special industry machinery.....................| 160.0 | 160.9 | 161.3 | 11-7 | Electrical machinery and equipment.............| 120.4 | 120.6 | 120.4 | 11-9 | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........| 132.4 | 133.0 | 133.1 | 12-6 | Other household durable goods..................| 151.8 | 152.2 | 152.0 | 13-2 | Concrete ingredients...........................| 149.3 | 150.9 | 151.8 | 14-1 | Motor vehicles and equipment...................| 132.9 | 131.6 | 131.5 | 15-1 | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........| 132.4 | 132.7 | 132.4 | 15-4 | Photographic equipment and supplies............| 113.3 | 111.4 | 110.1 | 15-9 | Other miscellaneous products...................| 134.5 | 135.0 | 134.9 | __________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________| 1/ Data for December 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_Apr._1999_from: code | |base | | | | | | | |Dec. |Mar. |Apr. | Apr. | Mar. | | |1998 2/|1999 2/|1999 2/| 1998 | 1999 __________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|_________ | | | |Total mining industries...................... |12/84| 66.8 64.6 68.0 -8.2 5.3 10 | Metal mining................................ |12/84| 69.5 68.9 67.9 -11.4 -1.5 12 | Coal mining................................. |12/85| 91.4 88.7 89.2 -1.7 .6 13 | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85| 62.9 60.3 64.7 -10.5 7.3 14 | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic | | | minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 132.7 133.7 134.1 1.4 .3 | | | |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 125.9 126.2 127.4 1.0 1.0 20 | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 126.1 125.5 124.2 -1.0 -1.0 21 | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 316.0 315.8 316.0 36.8 .1 22 | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 117.6 116.8 116.3 -2.4 -.4 23 | Apparel and other finished products made | | | from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 124.9 125.0 125.1 .3 .1 24 | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 155.7 160.1 160.1 1.0 0 25 | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 140.2 140.8 140.7 .9 -.1 26 | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 133.5 133.2 134.0 -2.2 .6 27 | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 175.2 176.5 176.9 1.7 .2 28 | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 147.9 148.1 148.5 -.9 .3 29 | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84| 56.3 59.3 73.3 8.0 23.6 30 | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 121.8 121.2 121.9 -.5 .6 31 | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 136.7 136.8 136.2 -.7 -.4 32 | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 130.2 131.7 132.1 2.6 .3 33 | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 116.9 114.9 114.6 -6.5 -.3 34 | Fabricated metal products, except machinery | | | and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 128.7 128.8 128.9 .2 .1 35 | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 117.3 117.5 117.5 -.3 0 36 | Electrical and electronic machinery, | | | equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 110.0 109.9 109.8 -.6 -.1 37 | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 134.9 134.3 134.2 .3 -.1 38 | Measuring and controlling instruments; | | | photographic, medical, optical goods; | | | watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 125.9 126.4 126.3 0 -.1 39 | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 129.8 130.3 130.2 .5 -.1 | | | |Services industries | | 40 | Railroad transportation..................... |12/96| 101.5 100.8 100.8 -.9 0 42 | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 112.7 113.9 114.4 3.2 .4 43 | United states postal service................ |06/89| 132.3 135.4 135.4 2.3 0 44 | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 105.7 105.9 106.1 3.8 .2 45 | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 126.5 128.5 130.0 4.6 1.2 46 | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 99.2 98.2 98.5 -.8 .3 80 | Health services............................. |12/94| 108.4 109.2 109.3 1.8 .1 81 | Legal services.............................. |12/96| 106.7 107.7 108.1 2.0 .4 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 December 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 | | | | | | | Nov. | Dec. | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | 1998 | 1998 | 1999 | 1999 | 1999 | 1999 _______________________________________________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______ Finished goods...................................| 130.7 131.3 131.8 131.3 131.6 132.2 Finished consumer goods........................| 128.9 129.7 130.5 129.7 130.1 130.9 Finished consumer foods......................| 134.5 134.5 136.5 134.6 135.2 134.0 Crude......................................| 126.6 129.3 138.2 125.7 133.0 129.7 Processed..................................| 135.1 134.8 136.4 135.3 135.3 134.3 Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....| 126.3 127.5 127.8 127.4 127.8 129.4 Nondurable goods less foods................| 121.7 123.5 124.0 123.6 124.2 126.4 Durable goods..............................| 133.5 133.3 132.9 132.8 132.6 132.7 Capital equipment..............................| 137.8 137.7 137.5 137.6 137.6 137.6 Manufacturing industries.....................| 138.1 138.1 138.1 138.3 138.4 138.4 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 137.6 137.5 137.1 137.2 137.2 137.2 | Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.| 121.9 121.1 121.4 120.8 121.2 121.9 Materials and components for manufacturing.....| 124.6 124.1 124.2 123.5 123.5 123.3 Materials for food manufacturing.............| 125.0 123.8 125.3 122.8 121.6 118.6 Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......| 123.8 123.2 123.4 122.4 122.7 122.9 Materials for durable manufacturing..........| 125.2 124.3 124.1 123.5 123.3 123.1 Components for manufacturing.................| 125.9 125.8 125.7 125.6 125.6 125.7 Materials and components for construction......| 146.7 146.7 147.0 147.3 147.7 147.9 Processed fuels and lubricants.................| 79.5 76.8 78.2 77.1 78.8 82.3 Manufacturing industries ....................| 84.6 82.8 83.9 82.3 83.6 85.5 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 76.4 73.2 74.8 73.9 75.9 80.3 Containers.....................................| 139.2 138.5 138.5 137.7 138.0 140.3 Supplies.......................................| 134.4 134.4 134.1 133.8 133.6 133.9 Manufacturing industries.....................| 140.7 140.7 140.3 140.2 140.3 140.5 Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 131.6 131.6 131.4 131.0 130.8 131.1 Feeds......................................| 92.9 93.2 93.0 91.0 87.8 88.1 Other supplies.............................| 136.3 136.3 136.1 135.9 136.0 136.2 | Crude materials for further processing...........| 93.8 90.4 91.7 88.6 89.5 90.7 Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................| 102.6 98.2 103.4 100.5 99.2 96.7 Nonfood materials..............................| 84.3 81.8 80.4 77.2 79.6 83.2 Nonfood materials except fuel 2/.............| 77.9 72.7 75.5 73.4 77.5 82.9 Manufacturing 2/...........................| 70.5 65.6 68.2 66.2 70.2 75.3 Construction...............................| 192.1 190.8 190.6 190.9 191.9 190.8 Crude fuel 3/................................| 86.4 87.7 80.6 76.3 76.2 77.1 Manufacturing industries...................| 83.8 84.2 77.5 74.7 74.3 75.5 Nonmanufacturing industries................| 88.2 89.6 82.4 77.8 77.7 78.7 | Special groupings | | Finished goods, excluding foods..................| 129.5 130.2 130.4 130.2 130.4 131.5 Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......| 122.3 121.5 121.8 121.3 121.7 122.6 Intermediate foods and feeds.....................| 115.1 114.4 115.3 113.0 111.2 109.2 Crude materials less agricultural products 2/....| 83.1 80.7 79.3 76.1 78.6 82.8 | Finished energy goods............................| 73.2 71.9 72.9 72.2 73.1 76.8 Finished goods less energy.......................| 141.7 142.8 143.2 142.7 142.8 142.5 Finished consumer goods less energy..............| 143.2 144.8 145.5 144.7 144.9 144.5 | Finished goods less foods and energy.............| 144.4 145.9 145.7 145.7 145.7 145.8 Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....| 148.7 151.4 151.2 151.1 151.2 151.2 Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..| 160.4 165.5 165.6 165.4 165.6 165.7 | Intermediate energy goods........................| 79.3 76.5 78.1 76.8 78.5 82.0 Intermediate materials less energy...............| 131.4 131.1 131.0 130.6 130.6 130.7 Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....| 132.4 132.2 132.1 131.8 131.9 132.1 | Crude energy materials 2/........................| 66.9 64.2 62.4 57.8 61.3 66.5 Crude materials less energy......................| 109.7 105.9 109.7 108.0 106.8 104.6 Crude nonfood materials less energy 3/...........| 131.1 128.9 129.0 130.4 129.3 127.9 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 December 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.