Long Term Perspective
Prices will increase or decrease at earlier stages of production before consumers pay more (less) for finished goods. Changes in prices of food and energy products tend to overshadow changes in prices of other goods. From 2003 and into mid-2006, intermediate goods price gains have been at strong year-on-year rates not seen since the early 1980s.

Short Term Perspective
The intermediate goods index as well as the crude materials index slowed sharply in recent months due to declining oil prices.