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Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Public Affairs

OPA Press Release: Statement Of U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman Regarding The March 2000 Producer Price Index [04/13/2000]

For more information call: 202-693-4650

The Producer Price Index for finished goods rose 1.0 percent in March, following a 1.0 percent rise in February and no change in January. Excluding the volatile energy and food sectors, the "core" Producer Price Index rose 0.1 percent in March.

Energy prices jumped by 5.8 percent, the largest one-month gain since a 7.5 percent increase in October 1990. The increase in energy prices explains most of the increase in this month's PPI.

Today's report shows that inflationary pressure remains limited to the energy sector but I will continue to monitor the impact that energy prices are having on our economy.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.