Recent data from the producer price index (PPI) indicates that inflation may have returned. An April PPI jump of 0.5 percent (up 2.5 percent year-over-year) means that consumers may continue to pay more for goods and services—from food to hotels. Service costs overall reportedly rose 0.8 percent in March, and April could see an unusually large increase in hotel prices (PPI showed a 7.5 increase). However, it’s not yet evident how these trends will translate to consumer price index, which is expected to show a 0.2 percent gain in April. Read more.
