U.S. Producer Price Index Falls 0.3% in June Driven by Declining Goods Prices
Fibre2Fashion · 2026-07-18T00:00:00.000Z
The U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand decreased by 0.3% in June 2026 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This decline was primarily due to a 1.4% drop in final demand goods prices, which outweighed a 0.2% increase in services prices. Energy prices, including gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel, were major contributors to the fall in goods prices.
Malaysian Ringgit Holds Steady Amid Softer US Inflation Data; Q2 GDP Expectations Rise
The Malaysian Reserve · 2026-07-18T00:00:00.000Z
The Malaysian Ringgit remained broadly unchanged against the US dollar this week, trading within the 4.07–4.08 range. Softer-than-expected US Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) data eased concerns about immediate Federal Reserve tightening, offsetting earlier pressure from geopolitical tensions. Market attention is now shifting to Malaysia's advance estimate for second-quarter 2026 GDP, with Kenanga Research forecasting a 5.7% year-on-year growth, exceeding the 5.2% consensus.