LSE:VANQ 4 December 2025

May 13, 2026, 12:36 PM EDT. Wholesale inflation surged in April, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) rising 6% annually, up from 4% in March, driven largely by a 15.6% spike in gas prices that accounted for 40% of the increase in business costs. April's monthly PPI jump of 1.4% was double economists' expectations and the second-largest since 2010, according to U.S. Labor Department data. Rising oil prices reflect ongoing global supply issues amid the Iran conflict. Core PPI, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, also increased 1%, pushing its annual rate to 5.2%. Despite President Trump's assertions that inflation is temporary and linked to the conflict, analysts warn elevated costs will continue as oil supply remains constrained and the Federal Reserve faces challenges using interest rates to control inflation without risking the labor market.