By Greg Robb
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. wholesale prices fell for the third straight month in November, as prices declined for energy, the Labor Department reported Friday. Meanwhile, the core producer-price index, which excludes food and energy, increased a slim 0.1%. The readings were in line with the forecast of economists polled by MarketWatch. In October, the overall PPI fell 0.2%, while the core PPI rose 0.2%. Wholesale energy prices declined 0.4% in November, led down by gasoline prices. Core prices were pushed up by higher prices for light trucks and farm equipment. Over the past 12 months wholesale prices have increased an unadjusted 0.7%, up from 0.3% in October. Core producer prices have gained 1.3% over the past year, compared with 1.4% in the prior month. The report signals that inflation has stabilized at low levels.
