"US Wholesale Prices Rise 0.2% in March, Below Expectations"

Wholesale prices rose 0.2% in March, less than the 0.3% estimate, providing potential relief from inflation concerns. The 2.1% increase over the past 12 months suggests ongoing inflationary pressures. Excluding food and energy, the core PPI also rose 0.2%, meeting expectations. The release comes after consumer prices rose more than expected in March, raising concerns about the Federal Reserve's ability to lower interest rates. Markets showed little reaction to the data, with futures tied to major stock indexes slightly higher though Treasury yields declined. Initial filings for jobless benefits fell to 211,000, while continuing claims increased to 1.82 million, as the Federal Reserve contemplates its next moves on monetary policy.