Inflation Cools After Unexpected Flare-up | Business Matters (August 13)
The producer price index, a key inflation gauge, showed price hikes slowed in July. The index measures average price changes seen by producers and manufacturers. The federal government reports the PPI was up 2.2% for the 12 months ending in July. That's a significant pullback from the increase registered in June. The producer price index serves as a potential bellwether for retail-level inflation in the months ahead.