US Producer Price Inflation Picks Up Steam

The November Producer Price Index just came in, and it's sending mixed signals through the markets. Month-over-month, PPI held steady with a 0.2% uptick—right in line with what economists were calling for. But here's where it gets interesting: year-over-year inflation accelerated to 3.0%, climbing from the previous 2.8%, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics factored in data that had been backlogged during the 43-day government shutdown earlier this year.

For crypto traders and macro watchers, this uptick in producer-level inflation matters. When input costs start rising faster, it ripples through supply chains and eventually hits consumer prices. That kind of inflationary pressure typically plays into central bank policy thinking—and every rate decision the Fed signals shapes how digital assets move. The fact that PPI is ticking higher while the shutdown delayed reporting creates some catching-up dynamics worth monitoring as we head into year-end.