+0.1% Increase in August EPI

Not much movement in last month’s Electrical Price Index, with a 0.1% increase to 145.1 over July 2016 and a 0.2% decline in the year-over-year data. Several categories showed a change of more than one percent, including Power Wire & Cable (+1.1%); Residential Lighting (-2%); Switchgear (1.4%); and Air Conditioners (+1.2%). Power Wire & Cable (-5.4%) and Telephone Supplies (-2.9%).

Note: All EPI series represent Global Insight aggregates of Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) producer price indices (PPIs). The revised data partly reflect redefinitions of specific PPIs by the BLS, but mostly reflect the rebenchmarking of all EPI price series to a 1997 base year. The four following EPI series have been affected by BLS redefinitions: boxes, conduit (fittings), non­metallic conduit, and generators. Sources: U.S. Bureau of  Labor  Statistics; Global Insight