BLS Daily Report

[Richardson_D <Richardson_D@xxxxxxx>]

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, DAILY REPORT, MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2002:

Led by a drop in energy costs, producer prices fell 0.7 percent in December,
after a 0.6 percent decline in November, according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.  The Producer Price Index has fallen 3 months in a row.
According to the latest BLS figures, the so-called core rate of wholesale
inflation -- finished goods minus food and energy -- dropped 0.1 percent in
December, following a 0.2 percent gain in November (Daily Labor Report, page
D-1).

Wholesale prices in the United States declined in December for the third
consecutive month, making last year's drop in wholesale costs the biggest
since 1986, government figures showed.  The Producer Price Index fell 0.7
percent last month, more than expected, reflecting declines in costs for
cars, energy, and food (Bloomberg News, The New York Times, January 12, page
B16).

Gasoline prices increased 3 cents in the past 3 weeks, ending a 15-week
price crash that began with the September 11 terrorist attacks, according to
a newly released industry analysis.  Gas prices Friday at about 8,000 gas
stations nationwide averaged $1.12 a gallon for self-serve regular, analyst
Trilby Lundberg said Sunday (The Associated Press,
http://www.nandotimes.com/business/story/218457p-2107014c.html).

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