U.S. Wholesale Prices Rise 0.2% on Plastics, Fuel, Textiles

Wholesale costs in the U.S. rose more than forecast in May, led by higher prices for fuel, plastics and the fastest rise in 30 years for apparel and textile costs.

The 0.2 percent increase in the producer-price index compares with the 0.1 percent median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The so-called core measure, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, increased 0.2 percent, matching projections.

The costs of apparel and other fabricated textile products rose 1.0 percent in May, the fastest since 1.3 percent in April 1981.