Producer prices flat in August

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Producer Price Index for finished goods was unchanged in August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday.

Overall, prices received by producers were flat after rising for 12 out of the past 13 months.

Prices for finished goods rose 1.1 percent, while prices for energy items dropped 1 percent. Core prices, which exclude food and fuel items, were nearly flat, rising 0.1 percent.

On a 12-month unadjusted basis, producer prices were up 6.5 percent in August, down from 7.2 percent in July and 7 percent in June.