The U.S. producer price index for the employment services industry edged down to a reading of 125.3 in December (1996=100) from 125.6 in November, according to numbers reported today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The index number is not seasonally adjusted.

Employment services represents just one industry for which producer price indexes are tracked.

Producer price indexes measure changes in price over time from the perspective of the seller. Data for producer price indexes come from a sample of selling prices as reported by companies.

Included in the employment services industry are employment placement agencies, temporary help services, executive search services and professional employer organizations.