PPI-CPI gap widens as latter stays mild on falling food prices

　　Consumers browse products at a supermarket in Shanghai on Wednesday. WANG GANG/FOR CHINA DAILY

　　China"s producer prices rose at the fastest pace in more than four years amid global energy price increases, while the country"s consumer prices remained relatively stable, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday.

　　Analysts said producer inflation could fluctuate at elevated levels throughout the remainder of the year, while consumer inflation is likely to remain mild. The widening gap between the two metrics suggests pressure on profits in midstream and downstream sectors, underscoring the need to bolster demand as its recovery remains lukewarm, they added.