US wholesale prices drop

The Huy Fong Foods factory in Irwindale, California. Overall wholesale prices in the United States have risen just 0.7 per cent in the past 12 months. — AP

US wholesale prices dropped in November for the third consecutive month, pushed down again by cheaper gasoline and lower home heating oil costs. But excluding volatile energy costs, inflation was mostly stable.

The producer price index, which measures prices before they reach the consumer, declined 0.1 per cent last month, the Labour Department said on Friday. This comes after similar decreases in October and September.

Overall wholesale prices have risen just 0.7 per cent in the past 12 months.

Excluding energy and food prices, so-called core wholesale prices increased 0.1 per cent in November and 1.3 per cent over the past 12 months.

“If you are worried about upside inflation risks, you need to look elsewhere,” said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

Both consumer and wholesale inflation have been running extremely low in the past year. High unemployment and weak wage increases have made it difficult for businesses to raise prices.

Mild inflation has allowed the Federal Reserve more latitude to use its policies to try and stimulate growth. And some Fed officials have raised concerns that inflation is running too low.

Energy costs have kept inflation well below the Fed’s two per cent target. In November, gas costs tumbled 0.7 per cent and home heating oil prices plunged 5.7 per cent. The costs for new cars also fell 0.8 per cent last month.

Consumers are benefiting from cheaper prices, particularly when they fill up their cars and trucks. The average national price for a gallon (3.8 litres) of gas was just $3.25 on Friday, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

The costs of raw materials such as corn, wheat, cane sugar, coal and iron ore have each fallen over the past 12 months. Those declines suggest that inflation should be held in check in the months ahead.

Wholesale food prices were flat last month. Meat costs increased 5.6 per cent, but the wholesale prices for bread rolls, muffins, bagels and croissants fell 4.2 per cent after a sharp rise in October.

The Fed has said it will keep the short-term interest rate it controls at nearly zero at least until the unemployment rate falls below 6.5 per cent and as long as inflation isn’t expected to rise above 2.5 per cent at an annual rate in the near future.

The unemployment rate fell to seven per cent in November.

Low inflation has also allowed the Fed to continuing buying bonds to try and lower long-term interest rates.

Fed officials meet on Tuesday and Wednesday to evaluate their interest rate policies.