The prices companies receive for their goods and services fell slightly in February, the government reported Friday, reinforcing the view that minimal inflation pressures could allow the Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep interest rates near record lows for longer. The Labor Department said its producer price index (PPI), which measures price changes before they reach the consumer, fell 0.1 percent in February, the first decline since November. Producer prices have risen 0.9 percent over the last 12 months, the smallest year-over-year increase since last May. Wholesale food, energy, and pharmaceutical prices increased last month. Excluding the volatile categories of food, energy, and retailer and wholesaler profit margins, core PPI rose 0.1 percent. The February figures show that inflation remains tame. Businesses have been unable to raise prices because of high levels of unemployment and extremely weak wage growth. But low inflation has enabled the Fed to pursue extraordinary stimulus programs in an effort to support economic growth. The central bank has kept its key short-term interest rate at nearly zero percent for more than five years. It also has been purchasing bonds in an attempt to lower long-term interest rates to encourage more borrowing and spending. The Fed is in the process of reducing its stimulus. It has cut its monthly bond purchases to $65 billion, from $75 billion in January and $85 billion last year. Central-bank policymakers are meeting next week and are expected to announce another $10 billion cut.