Washington, DC, October 18, 2005--The producer price index rose 1.9% in September, for its biggest jump in 31 years, according to the Labor Department.
Price increases were led by a 7.1% rise in wholesale energy prices, the biggest jump in 15 years. Food prices also soared, rising 1.4% on a record 49% increase in egg prices.
The producer price index for finished goods has increased 6.9% in the past 12 months, the fastest rise in prices in 15 years. Core prices, which exclude food and energy, increased 0.3% as prices for capital goods increased 0.3%. The core rate is up 2.6% in the past year, down from 2.8% in August.
