EM’s Electrical Price Index (EPI) is on the move, led by a +5.2% gain by Power Wire & Cable in May that put this volatile product category up +18.3% over May 2017. The only other product categories that saw an increase of more than +1% for the month was Telephone (+1.5%); Fans & Blowers (+1.3%); Ballasts (+1.5%); and Air Conditioners (+4.5%). Overall, the Electrical Price Index was up +0.4% in May and +2.8% year over year.
Note: All EPI series represent Global Insight aggregates of Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) producer price indices (PPIs). The revised data partly reflect redefinitions of specific PPIs by the BLS, but mostly reflect the rebenchmarking of all EPI price series to a 1997 base year. The four following EPI series have been affected by BLS redefinitions: boxes, conduit (fittings), nonmetallic conduit, and generators. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Global Insight