Wholesale prices rose 1.1% in all of 2006, in contrast to the 5.4% rise in 2005, the Department of Labor reported. The government attributed the slower rate of advance to the index for finished energy goods, which fell 2% in 2006 after climbing 23.9% a year earlier. Otherwise, wholesale prices except foods and energy moved up 2% in 2006 following a 1.4% gain in 2005.

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At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by intermediate goods producers increased 2.8% in 2006 compared with an 8.6% advance in the preceding year, while the crude goods index declined 2.4% after moving up 21.1% in 2005.

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Wholesale prices rose 0.9% in December, seasonally adjusted. The rise follows a 2% advance in November and a 1.6% decline in October. At the …