Euro-zone May PPI at record 7.1% annual rise (by William L. Watts)

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Industrial producer prices across the 15-nation euro zone posted a monthly rise of 1.2% in May, bringing the annual rise to an all-time high of 7.1%, the statistical agency Eurostat reported Wednesday. The rise exceeded consensus expectations for a 0.8% monthly increase and a 6.6% year-on-year rise. Excluding energy, prices rose 0.3% between April and May, for a 3.8% annual rise, Eurostat reported.