Wholesale prices rise 0.4% in August, led by goods

The U.S. Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.4% in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the preceding 12 months, final-demand prices increased 5.4%.

Goods prices advanced 1.1% during the month, while services increased 0.1%. These readings measure price changes received by domestic producers, rather than the retail prices paid directly by households.

The distinction matters when comparing the release with consumer inflation: producer and consumer indexes cover different transactions and do not move in lockstep. The report is a snapshot of August pricing, not a prediction of future retail inflation.