Final demand food prices surged 1.7%, led by a 53.6% spike in egg prices. Other commodities, including pork, vegetables, and tobacco products, also saw higher costs. However, energy prices fell 1.2%, with gasoline prices dropping 4.7%. Excluding food and energy, final demand goods rose 0.4%.
On the services side, wholesale and retail margins declined 1.0%, pulling the index lower. Machinery and vehicle wholesaling saw a notable 1.4% drop, alongside lower retail margins in food, apparel, and automobile sales. In contrast, prices for hospital outpatient and inpatient care increased.
Prices for processed goods for intermediate demand rose 0.5% in February, while unprocessed goods jumped 1.3%, largely due to a 5.1% increase in foodstuffs and feedstuffs. However, unprocessed energy materials declined 3.1%, led by a 2.4% drop in crude petroleum.
Services for intermediate demand continued their downward trend, falling 0.2% for the second consecutive month. This decline…
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