Wholesale prices in the United States rose by a larger-than-expected 2.6% last month from a year earlier, a sign that some inflation pressures remain elevated.

The increase in wholesale inflation last month was driven by a sizable 0.6% rise in services prices, led by higher profit margins for machinery and auto wholesalers. But profit margins for wholesalers and retailers — categorized as “trade services” in the producer price report — can be very volatile.

The increase, the sharpest year-over-year increase since March 2023, comes at a time when other price indicators are showing that inflation has continued to ease. The government’s producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.2% from May to June after being unchanged the month before. Excluding food and energy prices, which tend to bounce around from month to month, so-called core wholesale prices were up 0.4% from May and 3% from June 2023.

Delta Air Lines adopts new rules for flight attendant uniforms after Palestinian pin flap

Delta Air Lines is changing its employee uniform policy following a passenger’s outrage over two flight attendants photographed wearing Palestinian pins.

The uproar over the July 10 post that described the Palestinian pins as “Hamas badges” prompted Delta to ban its employees from wearing pins representing any country or nationality besides the U.S. The new rule will take effect Monday. Both the attendants captured in the post objecting to the Palestinian pins were in compliance with Delta’s previous policy giving employees more flexibility uniform accessories.