Wholesale prices unexpectedly declined 0.3% in June on big drop in gasoline

People shop for groceries at a store in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on June 10, 2026. Li Rui | Xinhua News Agency | Getty ImagesWholesale prices unexpectedly fell in June as sliding energy prices helped brighten the inflation picture, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday.The produce price index posted a seasonally adjusted 0.3% decline for the month, compared to the Dow Jones consensus estimate for the final-demand cost measure to be unchanged. On an annual basis, the index indicated a 5.5% inflation rate.Excluding food and energy, core PPI rose 0.2%, against the outlook for a 0.3% increase.As with consumer prices, the index benefited from easing energy costs, particularly as oil fell due to receding tensions between the U.S. and Iran.This is breaking news. Please