· The import price index decreased 0.4% in June, following a 0.6% increase in the previous month. The export price index increased 0.3%, following a 0.6% increase in the previous month. The import price index increased 4.3% from June 2017, while export prices increased 5.3%.
· The producer price index for final demand (headline index) increased 0.3% in June, after a 0.5% increase in the previous month. The index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade increased 0.3%, after an increase of 0.1% in May. The producer price index for final demand increased 3.4% for the 12 months ended in June, and the index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade increased 2.7%.
· The consumer price index increased 0.1% in June, following a 0.2% increase in the previous month. The core index increased 0.2%, the same increase as in the previous month. The consumer price index increased 2.9% for the 12-month period ending in June, while the core index rose 2.3%.
· The advance figure for initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased 18 thousand to 214 thousand in the week ending July 7. The 4-week moving average was 223 thousand, a decrease of 1.5 thousand from the previous week’s average.