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                 Producer Price Indexes -- September 2000

     The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods rose 0.9 percent in
September, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today.  This index declined 0.2 percent in
August and showed no change in July.  The index for finished goods other
than foods and energy advanced 0.3 percent in September, after edging up
0.1 percent in the prior month.  Prices received by manufacturers of
intermediate goods increased 0.7 percent, following a 0.2-percent decrease
a month earlier.  The crude goods index rose 5.3 percent, after falling 1.5
percent in August.  (See table A.)

Table A.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected stage-of-
processing price indexes, seasonally adjusted

          Finished goods             Change in            
                                     finished       
                            Except     goods
                             foods    from 12   Inter-   Crude
                              and     months    mediate
Month  Total  Foods  Energy energy      ago      goods   goods
                                     (unadj.)
  1999                                                       
Sept.     0.8    0.7    2.1     0.6     3.1      0.5      4.6
Oct.        0    -.3    -.4      .2     2.8       .2     -2.4
Nov.       .1    -.2    1.1     -.1     3.1       .2      5.2
Dec.       .1      0     .7      .1     2.9       .3     -4.9
                                                             
  2000                                                       
Jan.       .1     .2     .9     -.2     2.5       .5      2.6
Feb.      1.1     .5    5.3      .3     4.0       .9      3.9
Mar.       .7     .1    4.4      .1     4.3       .9      2.2
Apr.      -.4    1.1   -3.9      .1     3.6      -.1     -1.5
May       r.1   r-.2   r-.2      .3    r3.7      -.1     r3.0
June      r.7   r-.4   r5.8     -.1     4.3       .9     r5.3
July        0      0    -.7      .1     4.1       .2     -1.1
Aug.      -.2    -.7    -.2      .1     3.3      -.2     -1.5
Sept.      .9     .4    3.7      .3     3.3       .7      5.3
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in 
this release may differ from those previously reported because 
data for May 2000 have been revised to reflect the availability 
of late reports and corrections by respondents.

                                    -2-
                                     
     Among finished goods, a 3.7-percent jump in September's finished
energy goods index followed a 0.2-percent decline in August.  The index for
finished consumer foods rose 0.4 percent, after falling 0.7 percent in the
prior month.  Price increases for finished consumer goods other than foods
and energy increased 0.4 percent in September, following a 0.1-percent rise
in August.  The index for capital equipment edged up in September, after
showing no change a month ago.

     During the third quarter of 2000, the finished goods price index
advanced at a 2.6-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), after
rising at a 1.8-percent rate during the second quarter of 2000.  Leading
this acceleration, prices for finished energy goods rose at an 11.4-percent
SAAR in the third quarter of this year, following a 5.7-percent annual rate
of increase during the previous three months.  The index for finished goods
other than foods and energy rose at a 2.2-percent SAAR from June 2000 to
September 2000, following a 1.1-percent rate of increase in the previous
quarter.  On the other hand, the index for finished consumer foods turned
down at a 1.4 percent SAAR, after rising at a 1.8-percent rate during the
second quarter.  The intermediate goods price index advanced at a 2.8-
percent SAAR during both the second and the third calendar quarters of
2000.  The seasonally adjusted annual rate of increase for the crude goods
price index slowed to 11.0 percent in the third quarter, compared to a 30.0-
percent rate of increase in the prior quarter.  (See summary below.)
     
Summary of December-to-December, 9-month, and 3-month seasonally adjusted
annual rates for selected stages of process 

          Grouping               Percentage        Seasonally adjusted annual
                                  change 12                rate for:
                                months ended
                                 in December
                                                      9      3      3      3
                                                    months months months months
                                                     ended  ended  ended  ended
                                                      in     in     in     in
                                                     Sept.  March  June   Sept.
                                1997  1998   1999    2000   2000   2000   2000
Finished goods                  -1.2   0.0    2.9     4.1   7.9    1.8    2.6
   Finished consumer foods       -.8    .1     .8     1.3   3.6    1.8   -1.4
   Finished energy goods        -6.4  -11.7  18.1    21.3  51.8    5.7   11.4
   Finished goods less foods       0   2.5     .9     1.4    .8    1.1    2.2
   and energy
     Finished consumer goods,                                                 
     excluding foods and energy   .3   4.2    1.2     1.3    .8     .8    2.4
     Capital equipment           -.6     0     .3     1.3    .9    1.5    1.4
                                                                        
Intermediate materials,          -.8  -3.3    3.7     5.0   9.6    2.8    2.8
supplies, and components
   Intermediate foods and feeds -1.7  -7.3   -4.2     1.6   6.7    7.0   -8.2
   Intermediate energy goods    -7.0  -12.1  19.6    22.5  46.3    3.6   21.3
   Intermediate materials less    .3  -1.6    1.9     2.4   4.2    2.7     .3
   foods and energy
      Materials for nondurable    .3  -5.3    4.0     5.7  10.0    7.8    -.6
      manufacturing
      Materials for durable        0  -5.5    2.4     2.4   8.1   -1.5     .9
      manufacturing
      Materials and components   1.2    .1    2.2      .3   3.8   -1.6   -1.3
      for construction
                                                                        
Crude materials for further    -11.3  -16.7  15.3    26.6  40.8   30.0   11.0
processing                    
   Foodstuffs and feedstuffs    -4.0  -11.0   -.1    -2.2  21.5  -11.1  -13.3
   Crude energy materials      -23.1  -23.8  36.9    76.0  84.9  106.7   42.6
   Crude nonfood materials         0  -16.0  14.0    -4.2   9.9  -10.5  -10.7
   less energy                     
NOTE: Late reports and corrections by respondents may cause some indexes to
change 4 months after original publication.  In addition, seasonally
adjusted indexes may be revised for 5 years due to the recalculation of
seasonal factors each January.

                                    -3-
                                     
     Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished
Goods rose 0.8 percent in September to stand at 139.2 (1982=100).  From
September 1999 to September 2000, prices for finished goods rose 3.3
percent.  Over two-thirds of this increase can be traced to a 17.2-percent
advance in prices for finished energy goods.  During the same period,
prices for finished goods other than foods and energy rose 1.2 percent, and
prices for finished consumer foods increased 0.3 percent.  Prices received
by manufacturers of intermediate goods rose 4.5 percent for the 12 months
ended in September, and the index for crude goods advanced 16.3 percent
during the same period.

Finished goods

     The finished energy goods index rose 3.7 percent in September, after
decreasing 0.2 percent in August.  Gasoline prices turned up 9.3 percent in
September, following a 2.8 percent decline in the previous month.  The
index for residential natural gas also rose, after falling in August.
Price increases for diesel fuel and home heating oil accelerated in
September compared to the prior month.  By contrast, the index for
residential electric power declined 0.3 percent, following a 1.0-percent
advance a month ago.  Finished lubricant prices rose at a slower rate in
September than in August.

Table B.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected price indexes for
intermediate goods and crude goods, seasonally adjusted
                                                   
               Intermediate                    Crude goods
                  goods
                             Change in                                                     
                            intermediate                        Change in
                     Exclud    goods                            crude goods
                      ing      from                   Excluding    from
                     foods  12 months         Energy    foods     12 months
                      and      ago                       and         ago
Month  Foods  Energy energy  (unadj.)   Foods (unadj.)  energy    (unadj.)
  1999                                                                  
Sept.     1.0    1.9    0.1     2.0      1.3     9.3     1.8       16.5
Oct.       .8    -.8     .2     2.2       .1    -7.0     2.4       10.6
Nov.      -.6    1.8     .1     2.8      1.0    11.5     1.0       16.7
Dec.     -1.9    1.4     .1     3.7     -2.0   -11.1     2.5       15.3
                                                                    
  2000                                                              
Jan.       .1    1.8     .4     4.1       .7     4.7     2.3       17.4
Feb.       .5    4.3     .3     5.4       .6     8.9      .6       25.1
Mar.      1.0    3.6     .4     5.9      3.6     2.3     -.5       26.9
Apr.       .8   -2.8     .4     5.3      1.5    -4.5    -1.0       22.2
May       r.7  r-1.0    r.1     5.0    r-1.4    r8.8    r-.2      r19.0
June      r.2   r4.9    r.1     5.4    r-2.9   r15.4   r-1.5       25.2
July      -.7     .5     .2     5.0     -2.7      .4    -1.8       23.4
Aug.     -2.5     .3    -.1     4.3     -4.5      .6    -1.3       15.6
Sept.     1.1    4.1      0     4.5      3.9     8.1      .3       16.3
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release
may differ from those previously reported because data for May 2000 have 
been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections 
by respondents.

                                    -4-

     The index for finished consumer foods rose 0.4 percent, after falling
0.7 percent in the prior month.  Fresh fruit and melon prices turned up
27.4 percent, following a 14.1-percent decline in the prior month.  Prices
for bakery products and roasted coffee also rose, after falling in August.
The indexes for pork, dairy products, and for beef and veal fell less than
a month ago.  The processed young chickens index rose more than last month.
By contrast, prices for eggs for fresh use, dropped 16.9 percent in
September, following a 19.4-percent advance in the prior month.  The
indexes for confectionery end products, milled rice, and for finfish and
shellfish also fell, after rising in August.  September's soft drink prices
fell at a slightly faster pace than in August.


     The index for finished consumer goods other than foods and energy
increased 0.4 percent, following a 0.1-percent rise in August.  Passenger
car prices rose 1.4 percent in September, after falling 0.3 percent a month
ago.  The indexes for light motor trucks, alcoholic beverages, sanitary
paper products, and for men's and boys' apparel also turned up, after
declining in the prior month.  Prices for soaps and synthetic detergents
rose more than in August.  The index for household appliances showed no
change, following a decrease last month.  On the other hand, cigarette
prices showed no change in September, after advancing 2.6 percent in the
previous month.  Prices for prescription drugs, book publishing, and
textile housefurnishings turned down in September, following increases in
August.  During the third quarter of 2000, the index for finished consumer
goods other than foods and energy rose at a 2.4-percent SAAR, after
increasing at a 0.8-percent rate during the second quarter of 2000.

      The capital equipment index rose 0.2 percent, after showing no change
in August.  The majority of September's increase can be traced to a 1.4-
percent advance in prices for passenger cars and a 1.5-percent increase in
prices for light motor trucks.  The indexes for civilian aircraft, office
and store machines, construction machinery, and commercial furniture also
rose in September.  By contrast, prices for heavy motor trucks,
communication and related equipment, electronic computers, and for
transformers and power regulators declined in September.  From June 2000 to
September 2000, the index for capital equipment rose at a 1.4-percent SAAR,
following a 1.5-percent rate of increase in the previous quarter.

Intermediate goods

     The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and
Components turned up 0.7 percent in September, after posting a 0.2-percent
decline in the prior month.  Most of this acceleration was led by prices
for intermediate energy goods, which rose at a faster rate in September
than in August.  The indexes for intermediate foods and feeds, durable
manufacturing materials, and for materials and components for construction
turned up, after falling in the previous month.  Prices for nondurable
manufacturing materials declined at the same rate as in August.  The index
for intermediate materials other than foods and energy showed no change in
September, following a 0.1-percent decline in August.  (See table B.)

     Prices for intermediate energy goods increased 4.1 in September, after
registering a 0.3-percent rise in August.  The gasoline index advanced 9.3
percent, following a 2.8-percent decline in the prior month.  Prices for
jet fuels and diesel fuel rose more than a month ago.  The indexes for
commercial natural gas and residual fuels turned up, after falling the
month before.  By contrast, commercial electric power prices declined 0.3
percent in September, following a 0.8-percent rise in August.  The
industrial electric power index also turned down, after increasing in the
previous month.  Prices for intermediate energy materials advanced at a
21.3-percent SAAR from June 2000 to September 2000, after rising at a 3.6-
percent rate in the previous quarter.

                                    -5-

     The index for intermediate foods and feeds rose 1.1 percent in
September, following a 2.5-percent decline in August.  Prepared animal feed
prices rose 3.2 percent, after declining 4.1 percent a month earlier.  The
index for crude vegetable oils also turned up, following a decline in
August.  Prices for pork, confectionery materials, and for beef and veal
fell less than in the prior month.  By contrast, the index for fluid milk
products declined 2.8 percent in September, after posting a 0.7-percent
decrease in August.  Prices for refined sugar also fell more than a month
ago.  The intermediate foods and feeds index declined at an 8.2-percent
SAAR during the third quarter of 2000, following a 7.0-percent rate of
increase in the previous quarter.
                                     
     Prices for durable manufacturing materials increased 0.3 percent in
September, after falling 0.2 percent in August.  The index for primary
aluminum advanced 2.7 percent, following a 1.8-percent drop in the previous
month.  Prices for plywood also turned up, after decreasing a month ago.
The indexes for hot rolled sheet and strip and for building paper and board
declined at a slower rate than in August, while prices for copper and brass
mill shapes rose more than in the prior month.  On the other hand, prices
for cold rolled sheet and strip decreased 0.8 percent in September,
following a 0.6-percent decline in August.  Durable manufacturing material
prices rose at a 0.9-percent SAAR from June 2000 to September 2000, after
declining at a 1.5-percent rate during the second quarter.

     The index for materials and components for construction edged up 0.1
percent in September, following a 0.1-percent drop in August.  Plywood
prices increased 2.4 percent, after posting a 1.1-percent decline a month
ago.  The indexes for softwood lumber and gypsum products fell less than in
the prior month.  After falling 0.2 percent in August, millwork prices
showed no change in September.  By contrast, the index for plastic
construction products dropped 1.2 percent, following a 0.7-percent increase
in August.  Prices for asphalt felts and coatings and for plumbing fixtures
and brass fittings also turned down, after rising in the previous month.
The index for materials and components for construction fell at a 1.3-
percent SAAR for the third quarter of 2000, following a 1.6-percent rate of
decrease during the second quarter.

     Prices for nondurable manufacturing materials fell 0.5 percent in
September, the same rate of decline as in August.  Falling prices for
plastic resins and materials, primary basic organic chemicals, phosphates,
and aluminum compounds outweighed price increases for nitrogenates,
synthetic rubber, paint materials, and woodpulp.  Nondurable manufacturing
material prices decreased at a 0.6-percent SAAR during the third quarter of
2000, after increasing at a 7.8-percent rate during the second quarter.

Crude goods

     The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing
advanced 5.3 percent in September, after registering a 1.5-percent decline
in August.  Prices for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs also turned up,
following a decrease in the prior month.  The index for crude energy
materials rose more than a month earlier.  Prices for basic industrial
materials increased, after falling in the previous month.  (See table B.)

     The index for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs gained 3.9 percent in
September, following a 4.5-percent drop in August.  Prices for slaughter
broilers and fryers jumped 16.9 percent, after posting an 8.7-percent
decline a month ago.  The indexes for slaughter hogs, fluid milk, corn,
wheat, soybeans, fresh fruits and melons, and alfalfa hay also rose, after
falling in the prior month.  Slaughter cattle prices decreased less than a
month earlier.  By contrast, the index for unprocessed finfish dropped 23.4
percent in September, following a 23.9-percent advance in August.  The
unprocessed shellfish index declined more than in the previous month.  From
June 2000 to September 2000, prices for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs
decreased at a 13.3-percent SAAR, following an 11.1-percent rate of decline
in the second quarter.

                                    -6-

     The index for crude energy materials advanced 8.1 percent in
September, after registering a 0.6-percent gain in August.  Natural gas
prices increased 9.0 percent, following a 0.6-percent rise in the prior
month.  The crude petroleum index jumped 9.1 percent, after posting a 2.2-
percent advance a month earlier.  Coal prices rose 0.9 percent, following a
3.5-percent drop in the previous month.  Prices for crude energy materials
increased at a 42.6-percent SAAR in the third quarter of 2000, following a
106.7-percent rate of advance in the second quarter of 2000.

     Recording its first increase since February 2000, the index for basic
industrial materials rose 0.3 percent in September, after a 1.3-percent
decline in August.  September price increases were registered for leaf
tobacco, copper ores, iron and steel scrap, aluminum base scrap, raw
cotton, and for construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone.  By contrast,
the indexes for wastepaper, softwood logs, phosphates, and iron ores
decreased this month.  Following a 10.5-percent SAAR of decline during the
second quarter of 2000, the index for basic industrial materials fell at a
10.7-percent rate during the third quarter of 2000.

Net output price indexes for mining, manufacturing, and services industries

Mining.  The Producer Price Index for the Net Output of Total Domestic
Mining Industries advanced 6.2 percent in September, after registering a
0.5-percent gain in August.  (Net output price indexes are not seasonally
adjusted.)  Leading this acceleration, the index for the crude petroleum,
natural gas, and natural gas liquids industry increased 8.1 percent,
following a 0.9-percent rise in the prior month.  Prices received by the
bituminous coal and lignite industry and the potash, soda, and borate
minerals industry turned up, after falling a month earlier.  The index for
the gold ores industry decreased less than in the previous month.  Prices
received by the copper ores industry and the oil and gas well drilling
industry advanced more than a month ago.  On the other hand, the index for
the iron ores industry declined 2.2 percent in September, after showing no
change in August.  For the three months ended September 2000, the index for
the net output of total domestic mining industries rose at a 34.7-percent
annual rate, following a 75.3 percent annual rate of increase during the
second quarter of this year.  In September, this index stood at 122.6
(December 1984=100), 34.0 percent above its year-ago level.

Manufacturing.  The Producer Price Index for the Net Output of Total
Domestic Manufacturing Industries jumped 0.9 percent in September, after
edging down 0.1-percent in August.  Accounting for over two-thirds of this
acceleration, prices received by the petroleum refining and related
products industry group gained 10.6 percent, following a 0.2-percent rise
in the previous month.  Indexes for the food and kindred products,
chemicals and allied products, and the machinery (except electrical)
industry groups increased, after falling a month earlier.  Prices received
by the transportation equipment, electrical and electronic machinery and
equipment, and the lumber and wood products (except furniture) industry
groups declined less than in the prior month.  By contrast, the index for
the tobacco manufactures industry group showed no change in September,
following a 2.4-percent advance in August.  Prices received by the
measuring and controlling instruments and the rubber and plastic products
industry groups fell, after rising a month ago.  After increasing at a 3.4
percent annual rate from March 2000 to June 2000, the index for the net
output of total domestic manufacturing industries advanced at a 1.8-percent
rate from June 2000 to September 2000.  In September, this index stood at
134.6 (December 1984=100), 3.8 percent above its year-ago level.

                                    -7-
                                     
Services.  Among services industries in September, price increases were
observed for the scheduled air transportation industry, operators and
lessors of nonresidential buildings, hotels and motels, skilled and
intermediate care facilities, trucking (except local), truck rental and
leasing, and the property and casualty insurance industry.  Conversely,
price declines were observed for real estate agents and managers, deep sea
foreign transportation of freight, offices of physicians, and the passenger
car rental industry.

                                   *****
            Producer Price Index data for October 2000 will be
       released on Thursday, November 9, 2000 at 8:30 a.m. (E.S.T.)
Table 1.  Producer price indexes and percent changes by stage of processing                                                          
(1982=100)                                                                                                                           
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
                                                 |          |                       |Unadjusted     |                                
                                                 |          |                       |  percent      |Seasonally adjusted             
                                                 | Relative |    Unadjusted index   |change to      |percent change from:            
                    Grouping                     |importance|                       |Sept.2000 from:|                                
                                                 |          |_______________________|_______________|__________________________ 
                                                 |   Dec.   |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |              
                                                 |            May   |Aug.   |Sept.  |  Sept.| Aug.  |June to|July  to |Aug.  to      
                                                 |   1999 1/|2000 2/|2000 2/|2000 2/|  1999 | 2000  |  July |   Aug.  |  Sept.       
_________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|________  
                                                 |                                                                                   
Finished goods...................................|  100.000   137.3   138.1   139.2     3.3    0.8      0       -0.2     0.9         
  Finished consumer goods........................|   75.611   137.4   138.5   139.9     3.9    1.0      -.1      -.3     1.1         
    Finished consumer foods......................|   22.882   138.2   136.9   137.1      .3     .1      0        -.7      .4         
      Crude......................................|    1.619   125.9   118.3   124.3    -1.9    5.1     -1.4      1.3     4.4         
      Processed..................................|   21.263   139.2   138.4   138.2      .5    -.1       .1      -.9      .1         
    Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....|   52.729   136.9   139.0   140.8     5.5    1.3      -.1      0       1.3         
      Nondurable goods less foods................|   36.838   136.5   139.9   142.7     7.5    2.0      -.1       .1     1.7         
      Durable goods..............................|   15.891   133.8   132.7   132.5     1.0    -.2      0        -.1      .4         
  Capital equipment..............................|   24.389   138.6   138.4   138.4     1.2    0         .1      0        .2         
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    6.436   139.3   139.5   139.5      .9    0        0         .1      .1         
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   17.953   138.3   138.0   137.9     1.4    -.1       .2      0        .3         
                                                 |                                                                                   
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.|  100.000   128.3   129.9   131.0     4.5     .8       .2      -.2      .7         
  Materials and components for manufacturing.....|   46.550   128.5   128.6   128.5     2.5    -.1       .4      -.3     -.1         
    Materials for food manufacturing.............|    3.339   120.5   119.1   118.9    -2.5    -.2      -.2     -1.6      .3         
    Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......|   15.689   133.3   134.2   133.6     5.6    -.4       .9      -.5     -.5         
    Materials for durable manufacturing..........|   10.279   129.6   129.1   129.4     2.5     .2       .1      -.2      .3         
    Components for manufacturing.................|   17.243   126.0   126.2   126.3      .5     .1       .1      0        .2         
  Materials and components for construction......|   13.727   151.0   150.3   150.3      .5    0        -.3      -.1      .1         
  Processed fuels and lubricants.................|   13.649    96.5   104.6   110.0    18.9    5.2       .5       .3     4.1         
    Manufacturing industries ....................|    4.947    96.5   104.2   106.8    13.3    2.5      1.7       .5     1.9         
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|    8.702    96.2   104.5   111.4    22.1    6.6      -.2       .2     5.4         
  Containers.....................................|    3.953   152.7   153.1   153.5     5.4     .3      0        -.1      .2         
  Supplies.......................................|   22.121   136.7   136.9   137.3     2.2     .3       .1      -.3      .4         
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    5.089   142.8   144.0   144.2     2.3     .1       .3       .1      .1         
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   17.032   133.9   133.9   134.4     2.1     .4       .1      -.4      .4         
      Feeds......................................|    1.160    97.2    90.2    93.6     5.4    3.8     -2.1     -5.2     3.8         
      Other supplies.............................|   15.872   138.4   139.2   139.3     1.8     .1       .3      -.1      .1         
                                                 |                                                                                   
Crude materials for further processing...........|  100.000   115.9   119.2   124.8    16.3    4.7     -1.1     -1.5     5.3         
  Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................|   38.999   104.9    95.4    97.6    -2.5    2.3     -2.7     -4.5     3.9         
  Nonfood materials..............................|   61.001   119.3   131.2   139.1    28.4    6.0      -.2       .1     6.0         
    Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............|   38.153   115.9   118.8   124.1    21.0    4.5     -4.4       .4     4.6         
      Manufacturing 3/...........................|   36.758   106.6   109.5   114.6    22.0    4.7     -4.5       .6     4.7         
      Construction...............................|    1.395   198.0   185.7   184.0    -6.8    -.9     -2.1     -3.0     -.9         
    Crude fuel 4/................................|   22.848   114.3   137.8   148.5    38.0    7.8      5.3      -.4     7.8         
      Manufacturing industries...................|    1.933   112.9   138.5   149.0    38.5    7.6      5.4       .5     7.6         
      Nonmanufacturing industries................|   20.915   116.5   140.2   151.0    37.9    7.7      5.3      -.4     7.7         
                                                 |                                                                                   
               Special groupings                 |                                                                                   
                                                 |                                                                                   
Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 77.118   137.0   138.4   139.6     4.2     .9      -.1      0       1.0         
Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 95.501   129.2   131.0   132.1     4.8     .8       .3      -.2      .7         
Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/  4.499   113.4   110.2   111.2     -.5     .9      -.7     -2.5     1.1         
Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 58.794   120.3   132.8   140.7    29.0    5.9      -.1      -.2     6.0         
                                                 |                                                                                   
Finished energy goods............................|5/ 13.780    90.9    96.3   100.6    17.2    4.5      -.7      -.2     3.7         
Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 86.220   145.0   144.5   144.6     1.0     .1       .1      -.1      .3         
Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 61.831   147.6   147.0   147.1      .9     .1       .1      -.3      .4         
                                                 |                                                                                   
Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 63.338   147.7   147.4   147.5     1.2     .1       .1       .1      .3         
Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 38.949   153.7   153.4   153.6     1.3     .1       .1       .1      .4         
Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 23.058   169.3   169.8   170.3     1.4     .3       .2       .3      .3         
                                                 |                                                                                   
Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 13.762    96.3   104.3   109.6    19.0    5.1       .5       .3     4.1         
Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 86.238   135.3   135.3   135.4     2.2     .1       .2      -.3      .1         
Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 81.739   136.7   137.0   137.0     2.3    0         .2      -.1     0           
                                                 |                                                                                   
Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 39.555   106.5   124.2   134.3    40.8    8.1       .4       .6     8.1         
Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 60.445   116.1   107.4   109.1     -.8    1.6     -2.4     -3.4     2.6         
Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 21.446   148.8   142.3   142.6     2.5     .2     -1.8     -1.3      .3         
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
                                                                                                                                     
  1/  Comprehensive relative importance figures are initially computed          3/  Includes crude petroleum.                        
      after the publication of December indexes and are recalculated            4/  Excludes crude petroleum.                        
      after final December indexes are available.  The first-published          5/  Percent of total finished goods.                 
      and final December relative importances initially appear,                 6/  Percent of total intermediate materials.         
      respectively, in the release tables containing January and May data.      7/  Formerly titled "Crude materials for             
  2/  The indexes for May 2000 have been recalculated to incorporate                further processing, excluding crude              
      late reports and corrections by respondents.  All indexes                     foodstuffs and feedstuffs, plant and             
      are subject to revision 4 months after original publication.                  animal fibers, oilseeds, and leaf tobacco."      
                                                                                8/  Percent of total crude materials.                
Table 2.  Producer price indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing                         
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)                                                                                                
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |                         
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted      
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:     
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Sept.2000 from:|                         
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________ 
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |         
           |                                                       | May   |Aug.   |Sept.  | Sept. | Aug.  |June to|July to|Aug. to  
           |                                                       |2000 1/|2000 1/|2000 1/| 1999  | 2000  |  July |  Aug. |  Sept.  
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ 
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 137.3   138.1   139.2     3.3    0.8      0      -0.2     0.9   
           | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 137.4   138.5   139.9     3.9    1.0      -.1     -.3     1.1   
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 138.2   136.9   137.1      .3     .1      0       -.7      .4   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
01-11      |   Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................|  96.3    71.1    90.6   -14.8   27.4      -.5   -14.1    27.4   
01-13      |   Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 140.6   128.1   137.3    14.0    7.2      -.6     7.5     7.2   
01-71-07   |   Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100)..................|  64.2    91.1    77.7     2.6  -14.7    -17.4    19.4   -16.9   
02-11      |   Bakery products 2/..................................| 181.7   182.5   183.3     3.0     .4       .7     -.2      .4   
02-13      |   Milled rice 2/......................................| 103.6   101.6    97.8   -19.8   -3.7      -.5     1.3    -3.7   
02-14-02   |   Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 121.6   121.2   121.5     -.4     .2       .1     -.1      .2   
02-21-01   |   Beef and veal.......................................| 118.9   111.9   109.4     -.7   -2.2     -1.4    -3.4    -1.3   
02-21-04   |   Pork................................................| 121.1   116.9   109.1     4.2   -6.7      1.9    -9.0     -.7   
02-22-03   |   Processed young chickens............................| 107.6   110.4   117.9     2.7    6.8     -2.4     1.0     6.5   
02-22-06   |   Processed turkeys...................................|  94.3    97.2   103.4     5.1    6.4      -.6     -.3     3.9   
02-23      |   Finfish and shellfish...............................| 204.1   200.9   189.7    -2.0   -5.6       .8     2.5    -5.8   
02-3       |   Dairy products......................................| 132.6   134.9   135.6    -5.1     .5       .7    -3.5    -2.2   
02-4       |   Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 129.2   127.9   127.6     -.2    -.2      -.1     -.4     -.2   
02-55      |   Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 171.1   171.5   171.2      .4    -.2       .2      .1     -.2   
02-62      |   Soft drinks.........................................| 144.9   144.8   144.0     3.8    -.6      -.2     -.1     -.3   
02-63-01   |   Roasted coffee 2/...................................| 137.1   130.1   130.5    -1.4     .3       .8    -2.1      .3   
02-78      |   Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 133.9   130.5   132.1    -5.6    1.2      -.6     -.6     1.2   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 136.9   139.0   140.8     5.5    1.3      -.1     0       1.3   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
02-61      |   Alcoholic beverages.................................| 141.4   137.6   141.4     3.4    2.8       .3     -.3     3.0   
03-81-01   |   Women's apparel 2/..................................| 124.3   123.2   123.0     -.7    -.2       .2     -.1     -.2   
03-81-02   |   Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 133.3   133.0   133.4      .4     .3       .1     -.2      .3   
03-81-03   |   Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 116.9   117.0   116.8     -.1    -.2      0      -2.6     -.2   
03-82      |   Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 122.3   122.7   121.9     -.8    -.7       .1      .1     -.7   
04-3       |   Footwear 2/.........................................| 145.0   145.1   145.1      .3    0        -.1      .1     0     
05-41      |   Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 108.9   115.8   115.6     1.8    -.2      2.0     1.0     -.3   
05-51      |   Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 123.4   137.3   144.5    23.5    5.2      6.2     -.3     4.9   
05-71      |   Gasoline............................................|  95.2    94.3   104.7    33.5   11.0     -9.1    -2.8     9.3   
05-73-02-01|   Fuel oil No. 2......................................|  84.4    92.0   109.9    63.8   19.5     -1.3     2.0    13.4   
06-35      |   Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription) 2/.....| 343.0   346.8   346.6     2.5    -.1       .5      .3     -.1   
06-36      |   Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter) 2/..| 188.3   188.2   188.3      .9     .1       .1     -.2      .1   
06-71      |   Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 127.2   127.4   129.4     1.7    1.6      0        .1     1.6   
06-75      |   Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 137.3   137.0   136.9      .7    -.1      -.1     -.2     -.1   
07-12      |   Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................|  91.9    94.3    92.9      .1   -1.5      1.6     -.6    -1.5   
09-15-01   |   Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 148.7   146.5   147.1     3.4     .4      -.2     -.3      .4   
09-31-01   |   Newspaper circulation 2/............................| 208.3   208.4   208.5      .7    0        0       0       0     
09-32-01   |   Periodical circulation..............................| 198.8   200.9   200.6     1.8    -.1       .8     0       0     
09-33      |   Book publishing.....................................| 216.2   217.4   217.2     1.9    -.1       .6      .2     -.6   
12-1       |   Household furniture 2/..............................| 152.5   152.8   153.0     1.5     .1       .1     0        .1   
12-3       |   Floor coverings 2/..................................| 128.8   130.2   129.1     1.8    -.8       .4     -.1     -.8   
12-4       |   Household appliances ...............................| 107.8   106.2   106.1    -2.1    -.1       .3     -.9     0     
12-5       |   Home electronic equipment 2/........................|  72.3    71.4    71.2    -2.6    -.3      -.8     -.3     -.3   
12-62      |   Household glassware.................................| 165.8   166.1   165.8      .9    -.2       .4      .2     -.2   
12-64      |   Household flatware 2/...............................| 140.1   144.8   144.8     3.9    0        -.6     3.9     0     
12-66      |   Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 131.4   131.5   131.5     -.3    0         .2     -.1     0     
14-11-01   |   Passenger cars......................................| 133.0   128.9   128.9     1.5    0        -.5     -.3     1.4   
15-11      |   Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 121.5   121.8   122.1     -.4     .2       .1      .2      .4   
15-12      |   Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 125.7   126.5   125.9     -.1    -.5       .2     -.4     -.5   
15-2       |   Tobacco products 2/.................................| 392.6   402.4   402.5     2.0    0         .1     2.3     0     
15-5       |   Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 160.8   162.1   162.1     1.6    0        -.2      .5     0     
15-94-02   |   Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 127.1   127.3   127.2     1.3    -.1      0       -.3     -.1   
15-94-04   |   Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 140.9   140.9   140.9      .6    0        -.1     0       0     
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 138.6   138.4   138.4     1.2    0         .1     0        .2   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
11-1       |   Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 153.7   152.7   152.8      .2     .1       .1      .1      .1   
11-2       |   Construction machinery and equipment................| 148.5   148.7   148.8      .9     .1       .1      .1      .2   
11-37      |   Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 161.6   161.9   162.0      .7     .1      -.1      .1      .1   
11-38      |   Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 162.1   162.3   163.3     2.1     .6      -.2      .1      .6   
11-39      |   Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 141.3   141.1   141.1      .6    0         .1     -.1     0     
11-41      |   Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 153.8   154.5   154.4     1.6    -.1      -.3      .5      .1   
11-44      |   Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 134.2   134.9   135.1     1.6     .1       .4     0        .1   
11-51      |   Electronic computers (Dec. 1998=100) 2/.............|  73.4    71.0    70.8   -14.8    -.3      -.4    -2.2     -.3   
11-62      |   Textile machinery 2/................................| 155.9   156.6   156.4     1.4    -.1      -.3     0       -.1   
11-64      |   Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100)..........| 165.0   165.1   164.8     1.1    -.2       .1      .1     -.1   
11-65      |   Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 141.7   142.3   142.5      .9     .1      0        .3      .1   
11-74      |   Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 137.1   135.9   135.1      .4    -.6      -.4     -.4     -.6   
11-76      |   Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100)......| 110.8   110.7   110.7     -.4    0        -.2     0       -.1   
11-79-05   |   X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 101.4   102.2   102.1     -.7    -.1       .2     -.7     -.1   
11-91      |   Oil field and gas field machinery ..................| 128.0   128.0   128.1     1.5     .1      0        .2      .1   
11-92      |   Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 146.0   146.3   146.6     1.6     .2       .1      .1      .2   
11-93      |   Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 112.3   113.2   113.8     1.2     .5      1.2     -.4      .5   
12-2       |   Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 158.3   158.6   158.7     1.0     .1      0       0        .1   
14-11-05   |   Light motor trucks..................................| 157.8   154.8   154.0     1.4    -.5      -.1     -.1     1.5   
14-11-06   |   Heavy motor trucks 2/...............................| 148.0   148.9   148.4      .9    -.3      -.2      .4     -.3   
14-14      |   Truck trailers 2/...................................| 138.8   140.7   140.5     2.3    -.1       .9      .6     -.1   
14-21-02   |   Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 158.0   160.2   160.3     5.7     .1      1.5      .3      .1   
14-31      |   Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 146.4   146.5   146.5      .5    0         .1     0       0     
14-4       |   Railroad equipment 2/...............................| 135.7   135.8   135.8     0      0         .1     -.1     0     
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 128.3   129.9   131.0     4.5     .8       .2     -.2      .7   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 113.4   110.2   111.2     -.5     .9      -.7    -2.5     1.1   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
02-12-03   |   Flour 2/............................................| 102.5   103.1   103.6     -.2     .5     -1.5      .7      .5   
02-53      |   Refined sugar 2/....................................| 111.5   109.7   104.3   -14.1   -4.9       .6    -2.1    -4.9   
02-54      |   Confectionery materials.............................|  93.9    93.1    93.4     -.2     .3      -.5     -.6     -.3   
02-72      |   Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................|  82.5    67.0    74.3   -12.2   10.9     -7.3    -7.7    10.9   
02-9       |   Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 105.1    99.1   102.3     4.5    3.2     -1.7    -4.1     3.2   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 129.2   131.0   132.1     4.8     .8       .3     -.2      .7   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
03-1       |   Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 107.9   107.8   108.0     5.0     .2      -.9      .7      .2   
03-2       |   Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 108.1   108.0   107.6    -1.0    -.4       .3     -.1     -.4   
03-3       |   Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 112.5   113.5   113.1     1.0    -.4      3.7     0       -.4   
03-4       |   Finished fabrics....................................| 123.0   123.1   123.1     0      0         .2     0       0     
03-83-03   |   Industrial textile products 2/......................| 131.2   131.6   131.8     1.7     .2       .8      .2      .2   
04-2       |   Leather.............................................| 178.9   182.4   184.9     4.6    1.4      -.2     1.9     1.0   
05-32      |   Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................| 110.8   130.8   130.9    37.4     .1      2.4    -1.5      .1   
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
See footnotes at end of table.                                                                                                       
Table 2.  Producer price indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - Continued             
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)                                                                                                
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |                         
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted      
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:     
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Sept.2000 from:|                         
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________ 
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |         
           |                                                       | May   |Aug.   |Sept.  | Sept. | Aug.  |June to|July to|Aug. to  
           |                                                       |2000 1/|2000 1/|2000 1/| 1999  | 2000  |  July |  Aug. |  Sept.  
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________ 
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS           |                                                                 
           |   -Continued..........................................|                                                                 
05-42      |   Commercial electric power...........................| 127.2   139.2   139.4     2.4    0.1      0.7     0.8    -0.3   
05-43      |   Industrial electric power...........................| 128.6   137.3   137.6     2.6     .2      2.3     1.1     -.2   
05-52      |   Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 117.6   135.5   142.2    28.5    4.9      6.8     -.9     4.7   
05-53      |   Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 114.6   140.1   145.7    36.7    4.0      8.1      .9     3.1   
05-54      |   Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100)...|  99.6   119.2   122.8    46.0    3.0      1.8    -6.0     2.5   
05-72-03   |   Jet fuels...........................................|  77.0    85.8   102.8    62.4   19.8      3.6     2.7    16.6   
05-73-03   |   No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................|  82.8    91.4   108.9    58.3   19.1      3.4     1.5    14.8   
05-74      |   Residual fuel 2/....................................|  79.0    89.0    89.3    35.7     .3      6.0    -2.8      .3   
06-1       |   Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 128.7   131.1   130.6     9.2    -.4      2.5    -1.6     -.4   
06-21      |   Prepared paint......................................| 160.9   161.0   161.6     2.7     .4       .1      .1      .3   
06-22      |   Paint materials 2/..................................| 151.4   147.9   149.1     3.1     .8       .1    -2.4      .8   
06-31      |   Medicinal and botanical chemicals 2/................| 146.8   146.2   145.6      .7    -.4     -1.2      .6     -.4   
06-4       |   Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................|  71.4    63.3    63.4   -28.1     .2     -8.5    -4.7      .2   
06-51      |   Mixed fertilizers...................................| 112.8   112.0   112.9     -.5     .8       .4     -.2     1.0   
06-52-01   |   Nitrogenates........................................| 109.1   122.9   125.7    37.2    2.3     10.7     1.6     1.6   
06-52-02   |   Phosphates 2/.......................................|  98.8    98.5    94.8   -15.1   -3.8       .1      .4    -3.8   
06-53      |   Other agricultural chemicals 2/.....................| 146.2   146.2   146.7     1.0     .3      0       -.2      .3   
06-6       |   Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 147.4   146.2   142.1     6.2   -2.8      -.3    -1.3    -2.8   
07-11-02   |   Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 117.9   121.0   123.0     8.2    1.7       .3     2.3     1.7   
07-21      |   Plastic construction products ......................| 137.1   138.1   136.1     4.1   -1.4      -.6      .7    -1.2   
07-22      |   Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes 2/..| 131.3   132.0   132.5     3.6     .4       .4     -.2      .4   
07-26      |   Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 117.3   117.7   117.6      .2    -.1      -.4      .8     -.1   
08-11      |   Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 180.7   170.0   167.9   -14.9   -1.2     -3.3    -1.7    -1.2   
08-12      |   Hardwood lumber ....................................| 186.1   186.1   186.4     5.1     .2       .3     -.1      .2   
08-2       |   Millwork 2/.........................................| 176.7   176.4   176.4     -.3    0        0       -.2     0     
08-3       |   Plywood 2/..........................................| 156.6   152.7   156.4   -12.0    2.4      -.7    -1.1     2.4   
09-11      |   Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 143.4   148.2   149.3    19.3     .7      1.2      .5      .7   
09-13      |   Paper 2/............................................| 150.0   151.2   151.2     6.1    0         .1      .1     0     
09-14      |   Paperboard 2/.......................................| 180.4   180.6   180.1    11.9    -.3       .1      .1     -.3   
09-15-03   |   Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 174.3   174.9   175.5     7.5     .3      -.1     -.3      .3   
09-2       |   Building paper and board 2/.........................| 144.7   133.7   132.5    -9.6    -.9     -2.2    -3.0     -.9   
09-37      |   Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 154.3   156.1   156.3     2.8     .1      0        .1      .1   
10-15      |   Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 136.7   136.7   136.5     1.0    -.1      -.4      .1     -.1   
10-17      |   Steel mill products 2/..............................| 110.2   108.7   108.3     3.4    -.4      -.4     -.7     -.4   
10-22      |   Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 110.9   115.8   119.5    12.0    3.2      2.7     1.3     3.2   
10-25-01   |   Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 149.0   149.2   150.5     6.8     .9       .3      .7      .9   
10-25-02   |   Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 160.6   162.8   166.9     5.6    2.5       .4     1.2     2.5   
10-26      |   Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 143.2   143.2   145.6     5.8    1.7      -.8     1.7     1.7   
10-3       |   Metal containers 2/.................................| 107.2   107.3   107.3     1.2    0         .1      .1     0     
10-4       |   Hardware............................................| 150.8   151.6   152.3     1.7     .5      -.2      .1      .6   
10-5       |   Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 180.0   182.2   181.3     2.5    -.5       .6      .4     -.2   
10-6       |   Heating equipment...................................| 155.8   155.7   155.8      .8     .1      -.2     0        .1   
10-7       |   Fabricated structural metal products................| 144.7   144.5   144.8     1.0     .2      -.3      .1      .2   
10-88      |   Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 130.2   129.8   130.0     -.5     .2      -.2      .3      .2   
10-89      |   Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 126.0   126.0   126.0      .5    0         .2     -.1     0     
11-45      |   Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 163.8   163.9   164.0     1.6     .1       .1      .2      .1   
11-48      |   Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 135.6   135.6   135.3      .4    -.2      -.2     -.1     -.1   
11-49-02   |   Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100) 2/.....| 161.9   162.3   162.3     1.2    0        0        .2     0     
11-49-05   |   Ball and roller bearings............................| 167.8   169.3   169.3     1.4    0         .6      .4     -.1   
11-71      |   Wiring devices......................................| 153.0   153.2   152.9      .1    -.2       .2     -.1     -.1   
11-73      |   Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 146.0   146.4   146.4      .5    0         .5      .1      .3   
11-75      |   Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 152.9   151.9   152.6     1.2     .5      -.3      .1      .7   
11-78      |   Electronic components and accessories 2/............|  97.1    97.6    98.1     0       .5       .5     -.5      .5   
11-94      |   Internal combustion engines.........................| 143.4   143.8   143.9      .6     .1       .1      .1      .1   
11-95      |   Machine shop products 2/............................| 137.6   138.0   138.0      .9    0        0       -.1     0     
13-11      |   Flat glass 2/.......................................| 109.3   111.2   112.1     5.1     .8      1.5     -.4      .8   
13-22      |   Cement..............................................| 150.5   150.3   149.9     -.9    -.3       .5     0       0     
13-3       |   Concrete products...................................| 147.6   148.2   149.7     3.8    1.0      0        .3     1.1   
13-6       |   Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................| 104.7   106.7   104.3     4.6   -2.2       .2      .1    -2.2   
13-7       |   Gypsum products 2/..................................| 214.9   195.2   188.3   -11.4   -3.5     -2.6    -4.7    -3.5   
13-8       |   Glass containers 2/.................................| 127.5   127.5   127.5     1.4    0        0        .2     0     
14-12      |   Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 113.6   113.0   113.1     -.8     .1      0       -.3      .1   
14-23      |   Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 140.3   140.7   140.7     2.1    0         .6     -.1      .5   
14-25      |   Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 144.6   144.9   145.1     1.3     .1       .9     0        .1   
15-42      |   Photographic supplies 2/............................| 124.7   124.6   126.7    -1.3    1.7       .2     0       1.7   
15-6       |   Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 145.7   146.2   146.3     1.2     .1       .2      .1      .1   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 115.9   119.2   124.8    16.3    4.7     -1.1    -1.5     5.3   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           |  CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 104.9    95.4    97.6    -2.5    2.3     -2.7    -4.5     3.9   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
01-21      |   Wheat 2/............................................|  79.7    73.1    77.7    -3.5    6.3     -1.8    -8.3     6.3   
01-22-02-05|   Corn 2/.............................................|  87.7    61.7    65.5    -9.9    6.2    -14.2    -5.5     6.2   
01-31      |   Slaughter cattle 2/.................................| 107.6    99.3    97.3     -.2   -2.0     -2.9    -2.8    -2.0   
01-32      |   Slaughter hogs......................................|  83.9    71.7    71.1    29.0    -.8      4.8   -17.1    12.7   
01-41-02   |   Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 126.7   118.9   135.8     1.5   14.2     -6.6    -8.7    16.9   
01-42      |   Slaughter turkeys...................................| 116.2   128.1   133.3    -1.6    4.1     -2.9     1.1     2.3   
01-6       |   Fluid milk..........................................|  90.0    93.0    96.1   -18.1    3.3      3.0    -7.7      .3   
01-83-01-31|   Soybeans 2/.........................................|  91.6    77.8    82.8      .6    6.4     -7.1    -3.7     6.4   
02-52-01-01|   Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 102.0    94.7    99.8    -9.2    5.4     -7.7    -2.4     5.4   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
           |  CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................| 119.3   131.2   139.1    28.4    6.0      -.2      .1     6.0   
           |                                                       |                                                                 
01-51-01-01|   Raw cotton..........................................|  95.6    98.1   100.7    24.8    2.7     -3.7    12.4     2.7   
01-92-01-01|   Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................|   (3)    97.0   107.0     4.0   10.3      (3)     (3)    10.3   
04-11      |   Cattle hides 2/.....................................| 161.9   175.7   177.0    17.1     .7      6.2     2.1      .7   
05-1       |   Coal 2/.............................................|  90.0    85.8    86.6    -2.3     .9       .6    -3.5      .9   
05-31      |   Natural gas 2/......................................| 123.3   157.9   172.1    49.8    9.0      6.4      .6     9.0   
05-61      |   Crude petroleum 2/..................................|  79.6    88.2    96.2    46.9    9.1     -7.2     2.2     9.1   
08-5       |   Logs, timber, etc...................................| 200.6   187.8   186.1    -8.3    -.9     -1.6    -3.3     -.7   
09-12      |   Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 365.0   262.5   239.7    11.2   -8.7    -12.3   -15.7    -8.7   
10-11      |   Iron ore 2/.........................................|  94.9    94.9    92.8    -2.1   -2.2      0       0      -2.2   
10-12      |   Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 147.3   136.4   137.3    -4.0     .7     -2.9      .1      .7   
10-21      |   Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............|  66.3    66.7    68.1     7.1    2.1     -1.6      .3     2.1   
10-23-01   |   Copper base scrap 2/................................| 120.7   129.1   128.9    11.1    -.2      1.7     5.6     -.2   
10-23-02   |   Aluminum base scrap.................................| 173.0   176.0   177.9     3.0    1.1      4.1      .1     1.2   
13-21      |   Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 163.6   164.0   164.6     4.0     .4      0        .3      .5   
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
                                                                                                                                     
1/  The indexes for May 2000 have been recalculated to incorporate          2/  Not seasonally adjusted.                    
    late reports and corrections by respondents. All indexes are            3/  Not available.                              
    subject to revision 4 months after original publication.                                                                                                                     

Table 3.  Producer price indexes for selected commodity groupings
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
         |                                                |                                   |
         |                                                |         Unadjusted index 1/       |
Commodity|                                                |___________________________________|
  code   |                    Grouping                    |  May 2000 | Aug. 2000 |Sept. 2000 |
_________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................|   385.4   |   387.6   |   390.5   |
         | All commodities................................|   131.6   |   132.9   |   134.5   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |            MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS              |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....|   124.2   |   120.0   |   121.2   |
01       |   Farm products................................|   103.7   |    94.3   |    97.9   |
02       |   Processed foods and feeds....................|   134.3   |   132.7   |   132.7   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Industrial commodities.........................|   133.0   |   135.4   |   137.0   |
03       |   Textile products and apparel.................|   121.4   |   121.4   |   121.3   |
04       |   Hides, skins, leather, and related products..|   149.7   |   152.4   |   153.1   |
05       |   Fuels and related products and power 2/......|    96.6   |   105.8   |   111.9   |
06       |   Chemicals and allied products 2/.............|   151.3   |   152.5   |   151.8   |
07       |   Rubber and plastic products..................|   124.4   |   125.8   |   126.0   |
08       |   Lumber and wood products.....................|   179.3   |   174.4   |   174.0   |
09       |   Pulp, paper, and allied products.............|   184.9   |   184.3   |   184.1   |
10       |   Metals and metal products....................|   128.2   |   128.0   |   128.5   |
11       |   Machinery and equipment......................|   123.9   |   124.1   |   124.2   |
12       |   Furniture and household durables.............|   132.6   |   132.5   |   132.4   |
13       |   Nonmetallic mineral products.................|   143.0   |   142.8   |   143.0   |
14       |   Transportation equipment.....................|   143.5   |   142.5   |   142.5   |
15       |   Miscellaneous products.......................|   169.4   |   171.8   |   172.2   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Industrial commodities less fuels and related  |           |           |           |
         |   products and power...........................|   142.5   |   142.5   |   142.5   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |             OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS          |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
01-1     | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables,   |           |           |           |
         |   and tree nuts................................|   119.3   |    99.6   |   114.6   |
01-2     | Grains.........................................|    85.8   |    66.8   |    70.2   |
01-3     | Slaughter livestock............................|   102.5   |    92.8   |    91.1   |
01-4     | Slaughter poultry..............................|   123.0   |   119.6   |   133.6   |
01-5     | Plant and animal fibers........................|    94.5   |    96.7   |    99.3   |
01-7     | Chicken eggs...................................|    73.8   |   108.6   |    92.4   |
01-8     | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................|   115.0   |    99.3   |   104.9   |
01-83    | Oilseeds.......................................|   102.3   |    87.4   |    92.8   |
01-9     | Other farm products............................|  'N.A.'   |   144.7   |   159.6   |
02-1     | Cereal and bakery products.....................|   158.1   |   158.2   |   158.6   |
02-2     | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................|   124.5   |   121.8   |   119.4   |
02-22    | Processed poultry..............................|   110.8   |   113.3   |   117.9   |
02-5     | Sugar and confectionery........................|   132.9   |   132.2   |   131.3   |
02-6     | Beverages and beverage materials...............|   144.0   |   141.8   |   143.1   |
02-63    | Packaged beverage materials....................|   134.9   |   129.0   |   129.3   |
02-7     | Fats and oils..................................|   114.1   |   106.6   |   109.9   |
03-81    | Apparel........................................|   127.2   |   126.7   |   126.8   |
04-4     | Other leather and related products.............|   146.0   |   146.0   |   146.0   |
05-3     | Gas fuels 2/...................................|   118.4   |   148.8   |   159.2   |
05-4     | Electric power.................................|   127.6   |   137.1   |   137.1   |
05-7     | Refined petroleum products.....................|    87.6   |    90.7   |   102.1   |
06-3     | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................|   256.8   |   258.7   |   258.5   |
06-5     | Agricultural chemicals and products............|   123.2   |   126.1   |   125.8   |
06-7     | Other chemicals and allied products............|   136.4   |   137.3   |   137.4   |
07-1     | Rubber and rubber products.....................|   114.6   |   116.3   |   116.0   |
07-11    | Rubber, except natural rubber..................|   117.3   |   120.4   |   122.4   |
07-13    | Miscellaneous rubber products..................|   138.7   |   139.3   |   139.3   |
07-2     | Plastic products...............................|   132.1   |   133.5   |   133.9   |
08-1     | Lumber.........................................|   180.3   |   172.9   |   171.6   |
09-1     | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building  |           |           |           |
         |   paper and board..............................|   164.6   |   162.5   |   162.2   |
09-15    | Converted paper and paperboard products........|   164.0   |   164.0   |   164.4   |
10-1     | Iron and steel.................................|   118.4   |   116.3   |   116.0   |
10-2     | Nonferrous metals..............................|   126.8   |   128.3   |   130.1   |
10-25    | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................|   143.1   |   143.6   |   145.3   |
11-3     | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........|   149.4   |   149.7   |   149.8   |
11-4     | General purpose machinery and equipment........|   150.6   |   151.0   |   151.0   |
11-6     | Special industry machinery.....................|   162.9   |   163.4   |   163.4   |
11-7     | Electrical machinery and equipment.............|   118.8   |   118.9   |   119.2   |
11-9     | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........|   133.8   |   134.2   |   134.4   |
12-6     | Other household durable goods..................|   155.1   |   155.9   |   155.7   |
13-2     | Concrete ingredients...........................|   156.0   |   156.2   |   156.4   |
14-1     | Motor vehicles and equipment...................|   132.4   |   130.3   |   130.1   |
15-1     | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........|   132.2   |   132.7   |   132.5   |
15-4     | Photographic equipment and supplies............|   108.4   |   109.0   |   109.6   |
15-9     | Other miscellaneous products...................|   136.4   |   136.7   |   136.5   |
__________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
                                                                                               
1/  Data for May 2000 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and
    corrections by respondents.  All data are subject to revision 4 months after original
    publication.                                                         
2/  Prices of some items in this grouping are lagged 1 month.                                  
                                                                                               
Table 4.  Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted               
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                  |                                              |     |         Index         |  Percent change    
  Industry        |                Industry 1/                   |Index|_______________________|to_Sep._2000_from:
    code          |                                              |base |       |       |       |        |           
                  |                                              |     |May    |Aug.   |Sep.   |  Sep.  |  Aug.     
                  |                                              |     |2000 2/|2000 2/|2000 2/|  1999  |  2000     
__________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|_________
                  |                                              |     |                                            
                  |Total mining industries...................... |12/84| 100.6   115.4   122.6     34.0      6.2    
       10         | Metal mining................................ |12/84|  72.6    72.8    73.6      4.5      1.1    
       12         | Coal mining................................. |12/85|  86.1    83.5    83.9     -2.3       .5    
       13         | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85| 109.1   129.6   139.3     43.8      7.5    
       14         | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic         |     |                                            
                  |  minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 137.2   137.9   138.0      2.8       .1    
                  |                                              |     |                                            
                  |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 133.1   133.4   134.6      3.8       .9    
       20         | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 129.3   128.2   128.4       .7       .2    
       21         | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 341.7   350.5   350.5      1.7    0        
       22         | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 116.5   116.8   116.7       .7      -.1    
       23         | Apparel and other finished products made     |     |                                            
                  |  from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 125.6   125.6   125.6    0        0        
       24         | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 159.1   155.8   155.4     -4.7      -.3    
       25         | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 143.4   143.6   143.5      1.2      -.1    
       26         | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 146.9   147.3   147.6      6.4       .2    
       27         | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 182.0   183.1   183.2      2.9       .1    
       28         | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 156.4   157.5   158.4      4.9       .6    
       29         | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84| 109.0   112.8   124.8     38.4     10.6    
       30         | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 123.6   125.0   124.9      1.7      -.1    
       31         | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 137.4   138.0   138.3      1.0       .2    
       32         | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 135.1   134.6   134.9      1.3       .2    
       33         | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 120.5   120.1   120.5      3.5       .3    
       34         | Fabricated metal products, except machinery  |     |                                            
                  |  and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 130.2   130.4   130.5      1.0       .1    
       35         | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 117.4   117.5   117.6       .4       .1    
       36         | Electrical and electronic machinery,         |     |                                            
                  |  equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 108.4   108.1   108.0     -1.1      -.1    
       37         | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 136.5   135.6   135.5      2.2      -.1    
       38         | Measuring and controlling instruments;       |     |                                            
                  |  photographic, medical, optical goods;       |     |                                            
                  |  watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 126.3   126.6   126.5      1.3      -.1    
       39         | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 130.5   131.1   130.7       .5      -.3    
                  |                                              |     |                                            
                  |Services industries                           |     |                                            
       40         | Railroad transportation..................... |12/96| 102.3   103.1   102.9      1.3      -.2    
       42         | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 118.6   120.1   120.6      4.1       .4    
       43         | United States Postal Service................ |06/89| 135.2   135.2   135.2    0        0        
       44         | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 123.8   128.1   126.6      7.9     -1.2    
       45         | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 146.0   148.3   151.3     14.8      2.0    
       46         | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 102.0   102.5   102.4      4.2      -.1    
       54         | Food stores................................. |12/99| 103.1   102.6   104.7     (3)       2.0    
       80         | Health services............................. |12/94| 112.0   112.8   112.8      2.5    0        
       81         | Legal services.............................. |12/96| 111.8   112.5   112.6      3.1       .1    
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1/ Indexes in this table are derived from the net-output-weighted industry price indexes.  Because of differences
   in coverage and aggregation methodology, they will generally not match the movements of similarly-titled 
   indexes which are derived from traditional commodity groupings.
2/ The indexes for May 2000 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.
   All indexes are subject to revision 4 months  after original publication. 
3/ Not available. 
Table 5.  Producer price indexes by stage of processing, seasonally adjusted
(1982=100)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                       |
                                                       |                      Index 1/   
                                                       |_____________________________________________________
               Grouping                                |        |        |        |        |        |        
                                                       |  Apr.  |  May   |  June  |  July  |  Aug.  |  Sep.  
                                                       |  2000  |  2000  |  2000  |  2000  |  2000  |  2000  
_______________________________________________________|________|________|________|________|________|________
                                                       |
      Finished goods...................................| 137.0    137.1    138.1    138.1    137.8    139.0
        Finished consumer goods........................| 137.0    137.1    138.4    138.3    137.9    139.4
          Finished consumer foods......................| 138.1    137.8    137.2    137.2    136.2    136.7
            Crude......................................| 129.3    126.5    117.9    116.3    117.8    123.0
            Processed..................................| 138.7    138.7    138.8    138.9    137.6    137.8
          Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....| 136.4    136.6    138.6    138.5    138.5    140.3
            Nondurable goods less foods................| 135.9    136.0    138.9    138.7    138.8    141.1
            Durable goods..............................| 133.6    134.1    134.1    134.1    133.9    134.5
        Capital equipment..............................| 138.4    138.7    138.8    139.0    139.0    139.3
          Manufacturing industries.....................| 139.1    139.3    139.5    139.5    139.6    139.7
          Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 138.1    138.4    138.4    138.7    138.7    139.1
                                                       |
      Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.| 128.4    128.3    129.4    129.7    129.4    130.3
        Materials and components for manufacturing.....| 128.2    128.4    128.5    129.0    128.6    128.5
          Materials for food manufacturing.............| 120.2    120.1    120.4    120.2    118.3    118.6
          Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......| 132.3    133.2    133.8    135.0    134.3    133.6
          Materials for durable manufacturing..........| 129.9    129.6    129.2    129.3    129.1    129.5
          Components for manufacturing.................| 126.1    126.0    126.1    126.2    126.2    126.4
        Materials and components for construction......| 151.5    150.8    150.8    150.4    150.2    150.3
        Processed fuels and lubricants.................|  97.8     96.8    101.5    102.0    102.3    106.5
          Manufacturing industries ....................|  97.2     96.5     99.8    101.5    102.0    103.9
          Nonmanufacturing industries..................|  97.8     96.6    102.1    101.9    102.1    107.6
        Containers.....................................| 151.6    152.7    153.3    153.3    153.2    153.5
        Supplies.......................................| 136.4    136.7    137.1    137.3    136.9    137.4
          Manufacturing industries.....................| 142.7    142.9    143.5    143.9    144.0    144.2
          Nonmanufacturing industries..................| 133.6    133.9    134.3    134.5    133.9    134.5
            Feeds......................................|  94.5     97.2     97.1     95.1     90.2     93.6
            Other supplies.............................| 138.4    138.4    138.9    139.3    139.2    139.4
                                                       |
      Crude materials for further processing...........| 111.8    115.1    121.2    119.9    118.1    124.4
        Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................| 104.6    103.1    100.1     97.4     93.0     96.6
        Nonfood materials..............................| 112.7    119.2    131.3    131.0    131.1    139.0
          Nonfood materials except fuel 2/.............| 109.4    115.9    123.6    118.1    118.6    124.0
            Manufacturing 2/...........................| 100.4    106.6    113.9    108.8    109.4    114.5
            Construction...............................| 201.5    197.9    195.7    191.5    185.7    184.1
          Crude fuel 3/................................| 108.2    114.3    131.3    138.3    137.8    148.5
            Manufacturing industries...................| 106.5    112.9    130.8    137.8    138.5    149.0
            Nonmanufacturing industries................| 110.2    116.5    133.7    140.8    140.2    151.0
                                                       |
                     Special groupings                 |
                                                       |
      Finished goods, excluding foods..................| 136.6    136.8    138.3    138.2    138.2    139.6
      Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......| 129.3    129.2    130.3    130.7    130.5    131.4
      Intermediate foods and feeds.....................| 112.3    113.1    113.3    112.5    109.7    110.9
      Crude materials less agricultural products 2/....| 113.7    120.3    133.0    132.9    132.7    140.7
                                                       |
      Finished energy goods............................|  90.2     90.0     95.2     94.5     94.3     97.8
      Finished goods less energy.......................| 144.7    144.9    144.7    144.9    144.7    145.1
      Finished consumer goods less energy..............| 147.4    147.6    147.2    147.4    147.0    147.6
                                                       |
      Finished goods less foods and energy.............| 147.4    147.8    147.7    147.9    148.0    148.5
      Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....| 153.3    153.8    153.7    153.9    154.0    154.6
      Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..| 168.8    169.3    169.0    169.4    169.9    170.4
                                                       |
      Intermediate energy goods........................|  97.5     96.5    101.2    101.7    102.0    106.2
      Intermediate materials less energy...............| 135.1    135.2    135.4    135.7    135.3    135.4
      Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....| 136.6    136.7    136.9    137.2    137.0    137.0
                                                       |
      Crude energy materials 2/........................|  97.9    106.5    122.9    123.4    124.2    134.3
      Crude materials less energy......................| 115.9    114.8    112.0    109.3    105.6    108.3
      Crude nonfood materials less energy 3/...........| 149.0    148.7    146.4    143.8    141.9    142.3
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  1/  All seasonally adjusted indexes are subject to change up to 5 years after original publication due to
      the recalculation of seasonal factors each January.  The indexes for May 2000 have been recalculated
      to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.
  2/  Includes crude petroleum.
  3/  Excludes crude petroleum.
Technical Notes





Brief Explanation of
Producer Price Indexes

     The term Producer Price Index (PPI) refers to a family of 
indexes that measure the average change over time in the selling 
prices received by domestic producers of goods and services.  
PPIs measure price change from the perspective of the seller. 
This contrasts with other measures, such as the Consumer Price 
Index (CPI); CPIs measure price change from the purchaser's 
perspective.  Sellers' and purchasers' prices may differ due to 
government subsidies, sales and excise taxes, and distribution 
costs.
     More than 10,000 PPIs for individual products and groups of 
products are released each month.  PPIs are available for the 
products of virtually every industry in the mining and 
manufacturing sectors of the U.S. economy.  New PPIs are 
gradually being introduced for the products of industries in 
the transportation, utilities, trade, finance, and services 
sectors of the economy.
     More than 100,000 price quotations per month are organized into 
three sets of producer price indexes: (1) Stage of processing 
indexes; (2) commodity indexes; and (3) indexes for the net 
output of industries and their products.  The stage-of-processing 
structure (tables 1, 2, and 5) organizes products by class of 
buyer and degree of fabrication.  The commodity structure 
(tables 2 and 3) organizes products by similarity of end-use or 
material composition.  The entire output of various industries is 
sampled to derive price indexes for the net output of industries 
and their products (table 4).
     Within the stage-of-processing system, finished goods are 
commodities that will not undergo further processing and are 
ready for sale to the final demand user, either an individual 
consumer or business firm.  Consumer foods include unprocessed 
foods such as eggs and fresh vegetables, as well as processed 
foods such as bakery products and meats.  Other finished consumer 
goods include durable goods such as automobiles, household 
furniture, and appliances; and nondurable goods such as apparel 
and home heating oil.  Capital equipment includes producer 
durable goods such as heavy motor trucks, tractors, and machine 
tools.
     The stage-of-processing category for intermediate materials, 
supplies, and components consists partly of commodities that 
have been processed but require further processing.  Examples of 
such semifinished goods include flour, cotton yarn, steel mill 
products, and lumber.  The intermediate goods category also 
encompasses nondurable physically complete items purchased by 
business firms as inputs for their operations.  Examples include 
diesel fuel, belts and belting, paper boxes, and fertilizers.
     Crude materials for further processing are products 
entering the market for the first time that have not been 
manufactured or fabricated and that are not sold directly to 
consumers.  Crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs include items such as 
grains and livestock.  Examples of crude nonfood materials 
include raw cotton, crude petroleum, coal, hides and skins, and 
iron and steel scrap.
     Producer price indexes for the net output of industries and 
their products are grouped according to the Standard Industrial 
Classification (SIC).  Industry price indexes are compatible with 
other economic time series organized by SIC codes, such as data 
on employment, wages, and productivity.  Table 4 lists indexes 
for the net output of major mining and manufacturing industry 
groups at the 2-digit level.
     Producer price indexes are based on selling prices reported 
by establishments of all sizes selected by probability sampling, 
with the probability of selection proportionate to size.  
Individual items and transaction terms from these firms are also 
chosen by probability proportionate to size.  BLS strongly 
encourages cooperating companies to supply actual transaction 
prices at the time of shipment to minimize the use of list 
prices.  Prices are normally reported by mail questionnaire for 
the Tuesday of the week containing the 13th.
     Price data are provided on a voluntary and confidential 
basis; no one but sworn BLS employees are allowed access to 
individual company price reports.  The Bureau publishes price 
indexes instead of unit dollar prices.  All producer price 
indexes are routinely subject to revision once, 4 months
after original publication, to reflect the availability of 
late reports and corrections by respondents.
     The BLS periodically updates the PPI sample of survey 
respondents to better reflect current conditions when the 
structure, membership, technology, or product mix of an 
industry shifts significantly and to spread reporting 
burden among smaller firms.  Results of these resampling 
efforts are incorporated into the PPI every January and July.  
     As part of an ongoing effort to expand coverage to 
sectors of the economy other than mining and manufacturing, 
an increasing number of service sector industries have been 
introduced into the PPI.  The following list of recently 
introduced service industries includes the month in which 
an article describing the industry's content appeared in 
the PPI Detailed Report:

		                                 PPI Detailed	
        Industry                     SIC     Report Issue	
			
Wireless Telecommunications          4812     July 1999	
Telephone Communications, Except 
   Radio Telephone                   4813     July 1995
Grocery Stores                       5411     July 2000	
Meat and Fish (Seafood) Markets,     5421     July 2000	
Fruit and Vegetable Markets          5431     July 2000	
Candy, Nut, and Confectionery Stores 5441     July 2000	
Retail Bakeries                      5461     July 2000	
Miscellaneous Food Stores            5499     July 2000	
New Car Dealers                      5511     July 2000	
Life Insurance Carriers              6311     January 1999	
Property and Casualty Insurance      6331     July 1998	
Operators and Lessors of 			
   Nonresidential Buildings          6512     January 1996	
Real Estate Agents and Managers      6531     January 1996	
Prepackaged Software                 7372     January 1998	
Home Health Care Services            8082     January 1997	
Legal Services                       8111     January 1997	
Engineering, Design, Analysis,			
   and Consulting Services           8711     January 1997	
Architectural, Design, Analysis, 			
   and Consulting Services           8712     January 1997	
Premiums for Property and Casualty 			
   Insurance                         9331     July 1998	



     Weights for most traditional commodity groupings of the 
PPI, as well as all indexes (such as stage-of-processing 
indexes) calculated from traditional commodity groupings, 
currently reflect 1992 values of shipments as reported in 
the Census of Manufactures and other sources.  From January 
1992 through December 1995, PPI weights were derived from 
1987 shipment values.  Industry indexes shown in table 4 are 
also now calculated with 1992 net output weights.  This 
periodic update of the value weights used to calculate the 
PPI is done to more accurately reflect changes in production 
and marketing patterns in the economy.
     Net output values of shipments are used as weights for 
industry indexes. Net output values refer to the value of 
shipments from establishments in one industry to establishments 
classified in another industry.  However, weights for commodity 
price indexes are based on gross shipment values, including 
shipment values between establishments within the same industry. 
As a result, broad commodity grouping indexes such as the all 
commodities index are affected by the multiple counting of price 
change at successive stages of processing, which can lead to 
exaggerated or misleading signals about inflation.  Stage-of-
processing indexes partially correct this defect, but industry 
indexes consistently correct for this at all levels of 
aggregation.  Therefore, industry and stage-of-processing 
indexes are more appropriate than broad commodity groupings for 
economic analysis of general price trends.
     Effective with publication of January 1988 data, many 
important PPI series (including stage-of-processing groupings 
and most commodity groups and individual items) were placed on 
a new reference base, 1982=100.  From 1971 through 1987, the 
standard reference base for most PPI series was 1967=100. 
Except for rounding differences, the shift to the new reference 
base did not alter any changes to previously published percent 
changes for affected PPI series. (See "Calculating Index 
Changes," below.) The new reference base is not used for indexes 
with a base later than December 1981, nor for indexes for the 
net output of industries and their products.
     For further information on the underlying concepts and 
methodology of the Producer Price Index, see chapter 14, "Producer 
Prices," in BLS Handbook of Methods (April 1997), Bulletin 2490. 
Reprints are available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on 
request.

Calculating Index Changes

     Each index measures price changes from a reference period 
which equals 100.0 (1982 or some later month). An increase of 5.5 
percent from the reference period in the Finished Goods Price Index, 
for example, is shown as 105.5.  This change can also be expressed 
in dollars as follows:  "Prices received by domestic producers of a 
systematic sample of finished goods have risen from $100 in 1982 to 
$105.50 today." Likewise, a current index of 90.0 would indicate 
that prices received by producers of finished goods today are 10 
percent lower than they were in 1982.
     Movements of price indexes from one month to another are 
usually expressed as percent changes rather than as changes in 
index points because index point changes are affected by the level 
of the index in relation to its base period, while percent changes 
are not.  The example below shows the computation of index point and 
percent changes.

     Index point change

     Finished Goods Price Index          107.5
     Less previous index                 104.0
     Equals index point change             3.5

     Index percent change

     Index point change                    3.5
     Divided by the previous index       104.0
     Equals                                0.034
     Result multiplied by 100              0.034 x 100
     Equals percent change                 3.4
                  
     Because price data are used for different purposes by different 
groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes seasonally adjusted 
and unadjusted changes each month.

Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data

     Seasonally adjusted data are preferred for analyzing general 
price trends in the economy because they eliminate the effect of 
changes that normally occur at about the same time and in about 
the same magnitude every year--such as price movements resulting 
from normal weather patterns, regular production and marketing 
cycles, model changeovers, seasonal discounts, and holidays.  
For these reasons, seasonally adjusted data more clearly reveal 
underlying cyclical trends.
     Unadjusted data are of primary interest to users who need 
information that can be related to actual dollar values of 
transactions.  Individuals requiring this information include 
marketing specialists, purchasing agents, budget and cost 
analysts, contract specialists, and commodity traders.  It is 
the unadjusted data that are generally cited in escalating 
long-term contracts such as purchasing agreements or real estate 
leases. (See Escalation and Producer Price Indexes:  A Guide for 
Contracting Parties, BLS Report 807, September 1991, available 
on request from BLS.)
     For more information, see "Appendix A: Seasonal Adjustment 
Methodology at BLS," in the BLS Handbook of Methods (April 1997), 
Bulletin 2490 and (2) "Summary of  Changes to the PPI's  Seasonal 
Adjustment Methodology" in the January 1995 issue of Producer 
Price Indexes.