Producer Prices Rise More Than Expected

Washington, DC, Oct. 18, 2011 -- U.S. producer prices surged higher in September as energy costs increased, according to the Labor Department.

Excluding food and energy prices, rose 0.2%, vs. the consensus estimate of 0.1%.

The producer price Index rose an unexpectedly high 0.8% last month, after remaining flat in August and just 0.2% the previous month.

At an annual pace, September's figures were up 6.9% from a year earlier, compared to a 6.5% rise in August.

Energy prices rose 2.3% in September from the previous month.