The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics reported the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) fell by 0.5% in October, down from a 0.4% increase in September. Department officials say it’s the largest decrease since April 2020. Year-over-year, the PPI, which measures inflation before it hits consumers, rose 1.3% from October 2022, down from 2.2% in September.
The price of glass and glass product manufacturing also dropped, falling 0.1%. This follows a 0.6% jump in September. October marks the third month in the past five where prices for glass products and manufacturing have dropped. Year-over-year glass and glass product manufacturing prices remain 5.2% higher than in October 2022.
Glass and Glazing Material Prices
Flat Glass – Flat glass prices rose by 0.1% in October. This follows a 0.4% increase in September. Prices for flat glass had dropped in June (-0.7%) and July (-0.9%). Year-over-year prices for flat glass are up 1.9% compared to October 2022.
Flat Glass Manufacturing – Flat glass manufacturing prices rose from September to October, increasing by 0.3%. The increase ends three consecutive months of falling prices. However, year-over-year prices are down 5.7% compared to last year.
Fabricated Structural Metal Products – Prices for fabricated structural metal products rose again from September to October, rising 0.8%. This is the fourth month of elevated prices for fabricated structural metal products. Year-over-year prices for the products are down 0.7% compared to October 2022.
Ornamental and Architectural Metalwork – The price of ornamental and architectural metalwork remains unchanged in October. This follows a revised 0.8% increase in September, ending three consecutive months of price drops. Prices for ornamental and architectural metalwork are down 1.5% year-over-year.
Metal Windows – Metal window prices remained unchanged for the third consecutive month. Prices for the sector last dropped in July 2023 (-0.2%). Year-over-year metal window prices are down 0.3%.
Metal Doors and Frames – The price of metal doors and frames was flat in October, following a 0.6% increase in September and a 0.4% price jump in August. The price of metal doors and frames is up 2.4% year-over-year compared to October 2022.
Builders’ Hardware – The prices of builders’ hardware, which includes window hardware, remained unchanged in September. This is the sixth straight month that the sector’s PPI remained flat. The year-over-year price for builders’ hardware is up 0.9%.
