The Producer Price Index (PPI) is a crucial gauge of wholesale inflation. This indicator is important to forex traders because it gives them an idea of what the cost of producing goods is. In turn, this can help them gauge what the prices of commodities and services will be in the near future. It is also useful as an indication of inflationary pressures.
Typically, PPI is reported on a monthly basis. The report contains data from a postal survey of retailers. It is a metric that is based on the average value of a fixed basket of goods purchased by manufacturers. As a result, it is more volatile than the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The CPI is an index that is compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and measures consumer inflation. A higher PPI may signal higher prices and could mean that interest rates will increase. On the other hand, a lower PPI indicates low inflation from the manufacturer’s perspective.
Traders also use PPI reports to gauge the state of the economy. However, it is not the only data release that can affect interest rates. Other key indicators include the ISM and GDP. When interest rates are rising, saving money becomes more appealing to investors. Moreover, the higher the interest rate, the more money is available to overseas investors. Therefore, the currency will tend to strengthen.
Aside from a good PPI, it is a good idea to monitor other economic indicators such as the Retail Sales Report. These reports are generally released before the PPI. Traders use this data to gauge the state of the economy and predict what the price of goods and services will be in the near future.
One of the oldest indicators in existence, the PPI is an indicator of the direction of price changes in the economy. Although it has been known to produce volatility in the short term, it is not often considered a major indicator of change. For example, in the 50s, a movie ticket cost $0.48.
Another indicator to watch is the PCE (Prices of Consumer Expenditures). This index is a comprehensive measure of inflation in the U.S., and is the most widely used. More than half of the value of the CPI is represented by services. If the cost of a good rises, then consumers will likely spend less on the item.
The core PPI figure represents the finished goods index minus the volatile components of energy and food. While this is not the most important number, it does give a sense of what is happening in the economy.
As with any indicator, it is important to understand how to interpret the data. Unlike other charts, PPI does not have a specific currency that it is reported in. So, it is difficult to determine whether foreign markets are affecting the price of a certain currency.
Fortunately, there are a few tricks of the trade that can help you figure out what the impact of PPI will be on your trading strategy. These include monitoring interest rate changes and utilizing confidence reports and PMI reports