Variance Estimates for the Producer Price Index

Measures of uncertainty caused by using a sample to calculate PPI data

The Producer Price Index (PPI) program began publishing variance estimates in 2016 based on data for 2015. The median absolute value of the percent change is provided as the reference statistic and the corresponding median standard error is provided as the measure of variance. Data for each PPI in the report includes

• 1-month median absolute percent change for the previous calendar year
• 1-month median standard error for the previous calendar year
• 12-month median absolute percent change for the previous calendar year
• 12-month median standard error for the previous calendar year

The standard error (SE), a commonly used measure of sampling variability, may be used to calculate a confidence interval around the corresponding sample percent change. The SE estimates the sample distribution, or spread, of the sample estimates from the true population value.

Methods for Calculating PPI Variance Estimates

• Variance Estimates Methodology for PPI Data (HTML)
• Variance Estimates Methodology for PPI Data (PDF)

For further information, contact the PPI Section of Index Analysis and Public Information, at ppi-info@bls.gov or (202) 691-7705.

Most Recent PPI Variance Estimates Report

Full report, including Summary, Tables, and Methodology (PDF)

• Summary (HTML) (PDF)
• Table 1. Final Demand-Intermediate Demand (FD-ID) PPI Variance Estimates (XLSX) (PDF)
• Table 2. Commodity PPI Variance Estimates (XLSX) (PDF)
• Table 3. Industry PPI Variance Estimates (XLSX) (PDF)

2016 PPI Variance Report

• Summary (HTML) (PDF)
• Table 1. Final Demand-Intermediate Demand (FD-ID) PPI Variance Estimates (XLSX) (PDF)
• Table 2. Commodity PPI Variance Estimates (XLSX) (PDF)
• Table 3. Industry PPI Variance Estimates (XLSX) (PDF)
• Full 2016 PPI Variance Report, including Summary, Tables, and Methodology (PDF)

2015 PPI Variance Report

The release of PPI variance estimates for 2015 includes only data for selected high-level PPIs from the Final Demand–Intermediate Demand (FD–ID) Aggregation System. The FD–ID system is the primary method for analyzing aggregate producer inflation.

• Summary (HTML) (PDF)
• Table 1. Variance estimates for selected PPI Final Demand-Intermediate Demand indexes (XLSX) (PDF)
• Methodology (HTML) (PDF)
• Full 2015 PPI Variance Report, including Summary, Tables, and Methodology (PDF)

(How to View PDF Files)

 

Last Modified Date: December 28, 2018