Provisional data indicate that the industrial producer price index in December increased by 0.70 per cent over the previous month.

Monthly comparison

During December, the producer price index for total industry increased by 0.70 per cent to 96.07 points. Prices for intermediate goods increased by 1.59 per cent. Energy, capital goods and consumer goods prices remained constant. Prices within the domestic market remained stable.

Prices for the non-domestic market increased by 1.23 per cent as prices in respect of goods destined for the non-euro area and euro area rose by 1.46 and 0.84 per cent respectively.

Annual comparison

On an annual basis, the industrial producer price index decreased by 1.65 per cent in December 2014 over the same month a year earlier. The downturn resulted from price decreases in energy (-6.98 per cent), consumer goods (-2.05 per cent) and intermediate goods (-0.52 per cent). However, prices for capital goods increased by 1.54 per cent.

Producer prices for the domestic market decreased by 1.83 per cent, mainly on account of a drop in prices for energy (-6.98 per cent) and intermediate goods (-0.37 per cent). In contrast, price increases were recorded in capital goods (+3.49 per cent), and consumer goods (+0.67 per cent).

During December 2014, non-domestic prices decreased by 1.51 per cent, resulting from a decline of 2.51 per cent within the non-euro area mitigated by an increase of 0.22 per cent within the euro area.