The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Producer Price Indexes (PPI) for July.
Inflation in prices received by producers (prior to sales to consumers) rose 0.2 per cent in July after a 0.4 per cent increase in June. The increase was based on rising prices for services (0.4 per cent), prices for goods declined (-0.1 per cent).
Prices for both food and energy goods declined. Excluding food and energy goods, prices were flat in July after a 0.4 per cent increase in June.
Wood products prices batted in second consecutive monthly increases for softwood lumber and OSB. Softwood lumber prices rose 2.4 per cent in July after a 1.0% increase in June. OSB price were up 1.0 per cent after a 2.4 per cent increase in June. Despite the increases softwood lumber and OSB prices are down for the year.
Gypsum prices slid further in July, down 0.3 per cent for the month, and 5.6 per cent from a February peak. Despite the declines gypsum prices are on par with the housing boom peak.