Summary Box: Wholesale prices fell in June

WHOLESALE PRICES DECLINE: Companies paid less for raw materials and factory goods in June, as gas prices fell. The drop in the Producer Price Index was the first in a year and a sign that inflation pressures are easing.

CORE PRICES UP: Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called "core" prices rose 0.3 percent in May and are up 2.4 percent in the past year. Higher prices for pickup trucks pushed up the core.

MORE DECLINES: Oil and other commodity prices have stabilized. Auto prices, pushed up by shortages from Japan, will likely fall. Both trends may push prices lower this year.