Inflation Cools After Unexpected Flareup | Business Matters (Aug. 13)

The producer price index (PPI), a key inflation gauge, showed price hikes slowed in July. The index measures average price changes seen by producers and manufacturers. The federal government reports the PPI was up 2.2 percent for the 12 months ending in July. That’s a significant pullback from the increase registered in June. The producer price index serves as a potential bellwether for retail-level inflation in the months ahead.