Producer prices rise 0.2% in November, government says

The Labor Department reported the producer price index rose 0.2% in November from October and 3% from a year earlier; the release was delayed by last fall's 43-day federal government shutdown.

The Labor Department released a delayed report showing U.S. wholesale prices rose modestly in November. The producer price index increased 0.2% from October and 3% from a year earlier. The report had been postponed by last fall's 43-day federal government shutdown. The department said it will release December's producer price index on Jan. 30. Key details: - The producer price index rose 0.2% in November compared with October and was 3% higher than a year earlier. - Core wholesale prices, which exclude food and energy, were unchanged from October and up about 3% year-over-year. - Gasoline prices rose sharply in November and contributed to the monthly increase. - The November report was delayed after the 43-day government shutdown last fall, and the December report is scheduled for Jan. 30. - The article notes that President Donald Trump's import taxes were expected to raise inflation, but their impact so far has been described as more modest than initially anticipated. Summary: Wholesale inflation in November was modest, with the producer price index showing small month-over-month growth and a 3% year-over-year increase. Core wholesale prices were flat for the month while gasoline lifted overall wholesale costs. The next producer price index release for December is scheduled for Jan. 30.