In the 12 months through May, the U.S. producer price index (PPI), a measure of prices that U.S. businesses get for the goods and services they produce, was up 6.5 percent year on year on an unadjusted basis, marking its highest level since November 2022, the U.S. Labor Department said on Thursday.
The PPI grew 1.1 percent in May compared with the previous month after seasonal adjustment, according to the U.S. Labor Department.
The index for final demand goods increased 2.8 percent month on month, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the rise in the PPI, the largest gain since the government started calculating the data in December 2009, according to the U.S. Labor Department. Much of the advance can be traced to a 10.7-percent jump in prices for final demand energy, it said.
The U.S. consumer price index (CPI), a broad measure of goods and services costs across the U.S. economy, rose 4.2 percent year on year in May, the biggest gain since May 2023, as energy prices remained high, according to data released by the U.S. Labor Department.
U.S. PPI up 6.5 percent year on year in May
Legions of security officers and police have been mobilized for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to safeguard fans, players, and venues, as the tournament faces unprecedented security challenges.
On the day of a send-off match in Chicago, a heavy police presence greeted football fans as the United States faced Germany. Heavy municipal vehicles provided a ring of protection for spectators outside the stadium, and all spectators underwent security checks upon entry.
One of the key concerns is that this tournament takes place against the backdrop of the U.S. war with Iran. Richard Kolko, a retired FBI special agent and member of the U.S. security team at four Olympic Games, said the situation has undoubtedly exacerbated people's concerns.
"Security at these games is critical, and people are worried about every potential threat out there. There are agencies and organizations that are seeking out any threats that may be bubbling up from around the world, either online, using sources, and of course, it's a very difficult time in the world right now, so that kind of elevates the concern," Kolko said.
Mexico, which is co-hosting the tournament, recently demonstrated its security readiness with a training exercise. The country is deploying 100,000 security officers and has also tightened security at high-profile tourism sites following a shooting at the country's Teotihuacan archeological zone in April that left one Canadian tourist dead.
There are also concerns around gun violence in the United States.
A mass shooting last weekend in Kansas City, Missouri, one of the World Cup host cities, was the 171st mass shooting this year, defined by Gun Violence Archive as an event in which four or more people are killed or injured.
Anti-drone technology will be used around World Cup stadiums, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently stated that drones remain its biggest concern.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup provides an unprecedented security challenge. Taking in 16 host cities across three countries, this is the most spread-out World Cup ever.
According to Kolko, each of these cities will not only need to protect the game venues, but also the businesses and public places that will see increased traffic due to the event.
"Guarding the stadium, that's truly the easiest part. They could do that with the guards, gates, and guns, and including that air cover that will be necessary. It's those soft targets outside the stadium. When you think about the parking lots, or the places people are going around the games, the restaurants. Those are much harder to secure. But law enforcement has to be ready for anything," Kolko said.
The security operation at this World Cup is expected to cost more than one billion U.S. dollars and will involve a multitude of federal agencies, state and local police departments and private security companies.
Security overdrive for 2026 FIFA World Cup to address multiple challenges
