MNI: 5 Things We Learned From Canadian Industrial Prices Data>

     By Yali N'Diaye 

     OTTAWA (MNI) - The following are the key points from the December 

data on the Canadian Industrial Product Price Index released Wednesday 

by Statistics Canada: 

     - The unadjusted Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) edged down 

0.1% in December following a 1.4% increase in November. The IPPI rose 

2.2% year-over-year, slowing from 2.7% in November. 

     - The Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) declined 0.9% on the month, 

for a 12-month gain of 6.2%. 

     - Energy was the main negative contributor to both the IPPI and 

RMPI. 

     - Energy and petroleum prices fell 0.7%. Excluding this component, 

the IPPI was flat on the month and up 0.9% year-over-year. Crude energy 

product prices decreased 1.8% on the month. Excluding this category, raw 

material prices were flat, for a 4.9% 12-month increase. 

     - Overall the picture was mixed, with 9 of 21 major commodity 

groups posting declines, 8 posting higher prices and 4 being unchanged. 

Still, the 0.1% IPPI decline suggests manufacturing sales won't benefit 

from any significant positive price effect in December. 

--MNI Ottawa Bureau; email: yali.ndiaye@marketnews.com 

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