Producer Prices Increase in March

The decline in the producer price index — which measures prices paid to factories, farmers and other producers — followed a 0.6% drop in February.

The core PPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.1% for the second month in a row.

Economists had predicted a 0.5% increase in the PPI, while the core rate’s increase matched forecasts, Bloomberg reported.

An increase in the PPI could indicate strong demand for goods, which would mean more shipments for trucking companies. However, if inflation begins to accelerate too quickly, it could also hurt the economy.