MNI DATA IMPACT: US August PPI Above-Expected 0.1%, Energy -2.5%>

--Core PPI +0.3% Above-Expected; Ex. Food, Energy, Trade +0.4%

By Alexandra Kelley

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The overall August PPI data released Wednesday 

were above expectation, boosting the year over year headline rate to 

1.8%. PPI increased by 0.1% from July, above market expectations.

     Core PPI rose by 0.3% in the month, slightly above forecasts 

predicting a 0.2% gain. Guestroom rental drove increases in the services 

sector, jumping +6.4% in August. 

     Here are some of the key takeaways from the data released 

Wednesday: 

     - August PPI increased 0.1% (+0.084% unrounded) month/month overall 

as energy decreased by 2.5% and food fell by -0.6%. Trade services grew 

by 0.2%, and the core rose by 0.3%. 

     - The year/year rate for overall PPI rose at 1.8% as recorded 

in August 2018, while the year/year rate for core prices jumped to 2.3%. 

The measure also excluding trade prices increased by 0.4% month/month, 

sharply rebounding from the -0.1% month/month reading in July. 

     - The year/year core PPI rate accelerated to 2.3% in August. 

     - Energy prices declined by 2.5% in August after a jump of 2.3% in 

July. Similarly, gasoline prices were down by 6.6%. PPI excluding only 

energy posted a positive 0.2% reading, while food prices fell by 

-0.6%. 

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

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