Producer prices in the United States jumped in November, driven by energy prices, according to figures released Tuesday by the Labor Department in Washington.
They increased by 1,8% compared to October (in seasonally adjusted data), the ministry said, far more than expected by analysts, who estimated their progress at 0,8%.
In October, the increase was only 0,3%.
The increase in prices for finished products manufactured in the United States was driven by that for energy products, which soared (+ 6,9%, their highest increase since August) following the rise in oil prices .
The price of heating oil rose 18,3%, while that of gasoline increased 14,2%.
Excluding food and energy, the price increase for American products was only 0,5% compared to October.
Semi-finished products also rose sharply, 1,4% from the previous month, after increasing 0,3% in October. The rise in the prices of raw materials produced in the United States accelerated in November, reaching 5,7% (against 5,4% a month earlier), their strongest rise since May 2008.
On a year-over-year basis, producer prices rose for the first time since November 2008. Their rise reached 2,4%, after falling 1,9% the previous month.
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