Producer price gains remain muted

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Producer Price Index for finished goods rose 0.1 percent in January, while core prices rose 0.4 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Core prices, which exclude food and energy items, were expected to climb 0.1 percent in the month. Food and energy prices, meanwhile, fell 0.3 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.

On an annual basis, prices received by producers were up 4.1 percent in January, the lowest annual rate since January 2011.