The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released November 2018 Producer Price Indexes (PPI) today. The Iron and steel index increased by 2.0% over the last month, 15.7% year to date (YTD) & 17.7% over the last year. Plumbing fixtures and fittings rose by 2.0% over the last month, 4.7% YTD and 4.8% over the last year. Agricultural machinery & equipment increased by 1.2% over the last month, 3.3% YTD & 3.4% over the last year. Metals and metal products increased by 0.6% over the last month, 7.2% YTD & 7.5% over the last year. Paints & allied products increased by 0.5% over the last month, 5.2% YTD & 6.4% over the last year. Commercial furniture increased by 0.4% over the last month, 5.0% YTD & 4.9% over the last year. Synthetic fibers increased by 0.2% over the last month, 7.7% YTD & 7.8% over the last year.
Historical annual inflation rate averages through November 2018 for all 2 and 3-digit PPI commodity codes are listed below (capitalized category description denotes a Major BLS PPI Commodity Group i.e. IPIC pool):
