PPI is also known as producer price index it measures the average changes in prices received by domestic producers for their output. Compiled by agencies like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it acts as a key indicator of wholesale inflation.
How it works is that It surveys thousands of producers across sectors like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, tracking wholesale prices for raw materials and intermediate and finished goods.
Why it really matters It acts as an early warning for retail inflation. If producers pay more for wholesale goods, those costs are typically passed down to the consumer.