Wholesale Prices Fall Unexpectedly in May

Washington, DC, June 13, 2014 --  U.S. wholesale prices declined 0.2% in May after two straight large monthly gains, according to the Labor Department.

Excluding the volatile food, energy and trade categories, core wholesale prices were flat.

The decline was unexpected. Economists predicted a 0.1% increase after a 0.6% gain in April and a 0.5% rise in March.

The May decline was led by a drop in the cost of energy. Personal consumption fell 0.2% in May.