EPI Stumbles Again in March with 0.2% Decline

The March Electrical Price Index continued its pattern of little monthly change and a decrease year-over-year, with a 0.2% increase from February and a -1.3% year-over-year (YOY) decline. Driving down the index was once again the Wire & Cable category, with  Power Wire & Cable declining -6.3% (-14.5%) year over year. Lamps also saw a significant monthly decrease (-5.6%).

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