WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- U.S. wholesale prices rose 1.3 percent, the biggest increase in three months, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday.
February's rise was stoked mostly by food and energy jumps but prices rose in many sectors, the department said.
The core producer price index, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.4 percent, double the previous month's gain.
In the 12 months that ended in February, overall wholesale prices rose 2.5 percent, the highest reading since August 2006, the department said. The core PPI was up 1.8 percent from a year earlier.
Wholesale energy prices increased 3.5 percent after January's 4.6 percent drop. Gasoline rose 5.3 percent. Residential natural gas swelled 4.1 percent.
Food prices soared 1.9 percent, the biggest monthly rise since October 2003, due in part to higher prices for fresh fruits and vegetables, the department said.
New car prices fell 1.2 percent. Light truck prices, including sport utility vehicles, rose 1.7 percent.
Wholesale cigarette prices rose 4.6 percent. Prices for toys, games and children's vehicles increased 2.3 percent, the sharpest monthly rise since 1983.
