Overall R&P producer prices drop during July.(News)(Brief Article)

Producer prices for rubber and plastics products dropped 0.2 percent in July but remained 2.6 percent higher than a year earlier.

The decline in prices comes despite gains in three major rubber product categories, according to data gathered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The prices for tires and tubes rose 0.6 percent on the month and were up 2.9 percent from July 2002. Passenger tire prices increased 0.6 percent for the month and truck/bus tires 0.7 percent.

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