--UK Dec unadj producer output prices -0.1% on mo; +2.4% on yr
--UK Dec adj core output prices -0.1% on mo; +0.6% on yr
--UK Dec unadj core output prices unch on mo; +0.7% on yr
--UK Dec adj prod input prices -3.5% on mo; +5.7% on yr
--UK Dec unadj prod input costs -3.4% vs mo; +5.7% on yr
--UK Dec input and output prices significantly weaker than seen
--ONS: UK Dec output price fall mainly due to lower petrol prices
--ONS: Dec input price fall mainly due to lower oil prices
--ONS: UK Dec unadj output prices yrly rise lowest since Apr 2000
--ONS: UK Dec adj input price fall on mo biggest since Jan 1986
--ONS: UK Dec crude oil prices fell 18.2% on month
--ONS: UK Dec imported materials fall on mo biggest since Feb '91
By BridgeNews
London--Jan. 15--Producer output and input prices for the U.K. came in weaker than expected in December, with input prices driven down largely by the fall in crude oil prices and output prices hit by the consequent decline in the price of petrol. Unadjusted output prices fell 0.1% on the month, and rose 2.4% on the year, compared with forecasts of a 0.1% monthly rise and a 2.7% annual increase. Seasonally adjusted input prices fell 3.5% on the month and rose 5.7% on the year, below analysts' expectations of a 2% monthly drop and a 7.6% annual increase.
* * * The reason for the weak data was clear. On the input side, crude oil prices fell by 18.2% on the month, the largest monthly fall since February 1991. On the output side, the National Statistics office said that the monthly was mainly caused by the decrease in the price of petrol products.