inflation pressures

New York gold futures declined 1.3 percent on Tuesday. The yellow metal became less attractive to investors as a hedge against inflation given lower than expected U.S. producer prices and a sharp decline in Britain's inflation.

Silver and platinum futures gained 2.4 percent and 2.0 percent respectively.

Producer prices plunged in October for the third straight month and by a level never before on record, the Labor Department reported Tuesday.The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures prices at the factory door and inflation pressures before they reach the consumer, plummeted 2.8%.

Washington, DC (PRESS RELEASE - November 4, 2008) - Entrepreneurs face challenges on many fronts during the next 12 months, including lower consumer spending, rising unemployment, tightening credit, and inflation pressures that hit both businesses and customers.

Producer prices fell in September with lower energy prices, and dropped for the second consecutive month, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.

The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures prices at the factory door and inflation pressures before they reach the consumer, decreased in September to 0.4%.

Although the Labor Department's last report indicated an easing of inflation to 5.4% and a research group said on Thursday that September inflation pressures fell to a more than six-year low, a Fed president thinks lowering interest rates is not the answer right now.

The European Central Bank (ECB) shifted away slightly from an inflationary guard on Thursday, as the bank suggested the possibility of reducing interest rates later this year to help spur growth.

A European interest rate cut could, some economists say, help reduce U.S. inflation.

U.S. consumer prices dropped 0.1 percent in August, the first decline in nearly two years as energy costs fell in a sign that a slowing economy is relieving some inflation pressures.

The Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures prices at the factory door and inflation pressures before they reach the consumer, jumped 1.2% in July and 9.8% in the past year, according to a Labor Department report released Tuesday.