In addition, the
diesel fuel PPI soared 7% in July, although it was up only 2.5% over 12 months.
The PPI for inputs to construction industries, which unlike the materials index
includes diesel fuel, climbed 0.7% and 2.8%. Reflecting the relative importance
of diesel to different segments, the index for highway and street construction
inputs rose 1.3% and 4.1%; other heavy construction, 0.8% and 3.6%;
nonresidential buildings, 0.7% and 2.7%; multi-unit residential, 0.4% and 2.7%;
and single-unit residential, 0.4% and 2.2%.
The only significant
material with a large 12-month price increase was the PPI for hot-rolled bars,
plates and structural shapes, up 0.4% in July and 11.4% over 12 months. The
biggest decreases were for gypsum products, -3.7% and -20.2%; fabricated iron
and steel pipe, tube and fittings, -0.7% and -6.5%; insulation materials, -1.4%
and -4%; and asphalt felt and coatings, -1.8% and -0.7%.