The Producer Price Index decreased by 0.1% in April to 179.6 (1982=100), against the expected increase of 0.1%, following a 0.7% increase in March and a 0.6% decrease in February. Over the year, the index has advanced 5.5%, the sixth consecutive 12-month increase. The index for energy goods decreased by 0.8% in April and prices for consumer foods decreased by 0.2%, the first such decline since July 2009. Excluding food and energy prices, Core PPI increased 0.2% after increasing by 0.1% in March.
Housing Starts in April increased by 5.8% to an annual pace of 672,000, higher than the expected increase to 652,000, from the revised figure of 635,000 in March (originally reported at 626,000). Over the year the figure has increased by 40.9% from the April 2009 rate of 477,000. Building Permits decreased by 11.5% over the month to 606,000, the lowest figure recorded since October 2009, against the expected decrease to 675,000, following 685,000 permits annualized in March. Over the year, Building Permits increased by 15.9% from the 523,000 pace in April 2009.
Upcoming Releases
CPI (05/19 at 8:30 AM EST)
Crude Inventories (05/19 at 10:30 AM EST)
FOMC Minutes (05/19 at 2:00 PM EST)
Initial Claims (05/20 at 8:30 AM EST)
Crude Inventories (05/19 at 10:30 AM EST)
FOMC Minutes (05/19 at 2:00 PM EST)
Initial Claims (05/20 at 8:30 AM EST)
