14/04/2023
BREAKING | After yesterday’s positive CPI, the Producer Price Index showed that wholesale inflation DECREASED by 0.5% in March.
What Happened: The PPI simply measures how much the raw materials used by US manufacturers cost. It’s more of a leading indicator than the actual consumer price index. The fact that the PPI became deflationary this month is GIGANTIC, as it’s the first indication that prices are really going down.
Current Status: The biggest driver bringing the PPI down was energy goods, which decreased 5.1% in March. If you take food and energy prices out of the PPI, prices for processed goods actually rose 0.1%. This puts figures much more in line with the actual CPI.
Why it matters: Sure, the market is popping on this news (the DJI gained over 200 points by midday), but this may be short-lived. Remember, the CPI and PPI measure prices from last month. And the biggest factor bringing these prices down was energy costs. With OPEC’s production cuts, gas and energy prices have been on the rise all of April. Next month’s CPI and PPI can throw us right back into bear territory, so enjoy this while it lasts.