Meanwhile non-food items added 1.6%. While consumer prices moderate, downward price pressures for producers continue --PPI falling for a staggering 26 months in a row. PPI for April is down 2-percent, following March’s drop of 2.3-percent. Most analysts expect the PPI to remain in negative territory in the coming months. This is reinforcing speculation that the government may soon bring in new stimulus. As we know, moderate inflation can help boost consumer spending..... but falling prices encourage consumers to put off spending and companies to delay investment, both of which act as brakes on growth.