Producer prices rose in August

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. producers paid 0.4 percent more for finished goods in August compared to July due to rising energy prices, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday.

On a 12-month basis prices are up 3.1 percent, the second lowest annual figure this year, as prices overall rose for the second consecutive month and for the fourth month this year.

For producers, core prices in June -- prices excluding food and energy costs -- rose 0.1 percent, while energy prices rose 2.2 percent.

Prices for finished food, down four the fourth month of the past five, fell 0.3 percent, the report said..