PPI Data & Analysis: Iron & Aluminum Castings + More

Prof. Shanny Larson 22 May 2025

Are economic indicators, seemingly abstract numbers, actually powerful tools that shape industries and reflect the health of global markets? The Producer Price Index (PPI), a key barometer of inflation, provides crucial insights into the costs faced by businesses and the potential for price changes that impact consumers.

Consider the seemingly humble world of castings the foundation upon which many industries are built. From the robust structures of machinery to the intricate components of vehicles, castings are essential. The Producer Price Index, tracking commodity-specific data, unveils a complex narrative of price fluctuations, supply chain dynamics, and the overall economic climate. Examining the PPI for "Gray iron castings (including molds and stools for heavy steel ingots) (WPU10150419)" and "Aluminum castings (WPU102802)" provides a window into the economic forces at play.

The data reveals a dynamic landscape. For gray iron castings, we observe a history extending from December 2011 to April 2025, offering a comprehensive view. The highest recorded value reached 272.97100 in February 2024, while the lowest point was 90.50000, observed in December 1980. Nonferrous castings are currently at 160.69, a marginal increase from last month's 159.85, and a more significant rise from 151.45 one year prior. This translates to a 0.53% change from last month and a 6.10% change from a year ago. These seemingly small shifts in price can ripple through the market, affecting everything from manufacturing costs to consumer prices.

This article delves into the complexities of the Producer Price Index and other related indices, providing a detailed understanding of how they can be used to predict the redisplacement of forearm fractures in children and how it can be a simple and reliable radiographic measurement to predict the redisplacement of forearm fractures in children.

The concept of the "cast index" emerges as a valuable tool, particularly in medical contexts. The Hillingdon Cast Index, presented at the British Orthopaedic Association Annual Congress in Manchester in 2004, specifically focuses on adult distal radius fractures. The "cast index" is a simple and reliable radiographic measurement to predict the redisplacement of forearm fractures in children.

The following table outlines key information about the Producer Price Index (PPI) and its application in the context of castings, along with the associated indices:

Category	Details	Significance
Producer Price Index (PPI)	Economic indicator that measures the average changes over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output.	Provides insights into inflationary pressures, cost changes for businesses, and the overall health of the economy.
Gray Iron Castings (WPU10150419)	PPI data specifically for gray iron castings, including molds and stools for heavy steel ingots. Data available from Dec 2011 to Apr 2025.	Reflects price trends in the iron casting industry, influenced by factors such as raw material costs (iron), labor, and demand.
Aluminum Castings (WPU102802)	PPI data specifically for aluminum castings. Data available from Jun 1977 to Apr 2025.	Reflects price trends in the aluminum casting industry, influenced by aluminum prices, energy costs, and demand.
Cast Index (CI)	Radiographic measurement used to predict the redisplacement of forearm fractures, particularly in children.	Helps in assessing the stability of fractures and guiding treatment decisions, such as the need for further intervention. Studies use a CI of > 0.7 as a predictor.
Hillingdon Cast Index	A specialized cast index used for adult distal radius fractures. Presented at the British Orthopaedic Association annual congress, Manchester, 2004.	Provides a specific assessment tool for evaluating fracture stability in adult wrist injuries.
Canterbury Index	Derived from the sum total of the cast index and padding index.	A comprehensive measure for predicting fracture redisplacement.
Gap Index	Another index used for measurements.	Provides additional data to evaluate the fracture redisplacement.

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics - PPI

The foundry sector has recently faced challenges, illustrated by the European Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator (FISI), which experienced a sharp drop in October 2024, falling to 90.0 index points from 93.8 in September. This decline underlines the worsening challenges faced by the foundry sector. This may indicate a downturn in the broader manufacturing sector.

The impact of these economic shifts is felt across various sectors. The prices of "Steel and aluminum fences, gates (not wire), and railings and window guards" also reflect the influence of the PPI, demonstrating how the index can capture trends in diverse segments of the industrial landscape.

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The "cast index" isn't the only tool employed in fracture assessment. Other indices, such as the gap index, the padding index, and the Canterbury Index (the sum of the cast index and padding index, as defined by Bhatia and Housden in 2006), are also considered.

The "cast index" is not to be interpreted in isolation but in conjunction with other factors in patient assessment. The authors nevertheless opined that these casting indices should not be interpreted in isolation but should be.

The data provided in this article illustrates the multifaceted nature of "casting" and the importance of price, indices, and economic indicators. The interplay between these factors shapes the industry and provides insights into the broader economy.

In summary, whether in the context of industrial commodities, medical assessments, or the entertainment industry, the "cast index" serves as a useful tool. The data presented here highlights its significance and underlines the importance of understanding the various applications of the concept.