Preliminary data for the May 2013 CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI; the most recent information available) indicate that the composite index decreased by 0.5% from the the final April value. The data for each of the subindices decreased in the May preliminary numbers, except for the index value for electrical equipment, which rose. The May 2013 preliminary PCI index value stands at 4.6% lower than the corresponding final PCI value from May 2012. Meanwhile, the latest Current Business Indicators from IHS Global Insight moved in both directions, with the CPI output index edging slightly downward, while the CPI value of output increased slightly in the latest numbers.
Current economic trends
| By Scott Jenkins