–Import Prices Ex. Petroleum +0.3%, Ex. Fuels +0.5%
–Export Prices +1.2%, Agriculture Prices -0.7%, Non-Ag +1.4%
By Kevin Kastner
WASHINGTON (MNI) – U.S. prices for imported goods rose 0.9% in
April, as the price of imported petroleum jumped 3.3% and the remaining
components rose 0.3% combined, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
Import prices for most of the nonpetroleum categories rose in
April, with the exception of a flat reading for consumer goods excluding
autos.
Total fuel import prices, which include petroleum as well as
natural gas, rose 2.3% in the month, while import prices excluding fuels
rose 0.5%, the largest increase since July 2008. Natural gas prices fell
15.1%, accounting for the difference in the petroleum and total fuels
increases.
Total import price stood 11.1% above their year-ago level, while
non-petroleum prices were up only 3.3% year/year and prices excluding
fuels were up 3.2% year/year. Fuel prices rose 54.3% year/year, while
petroleum prices were up 58.7% over that period.
Export prices were up 1.2% in April, the largest increase since
July 2008. Agricultural export prices, however, fell 0.7%. Export prices
for non-agricultural products rose 1.4% on gains in industrial materials
and consumer goods, offset by declines in the price of foods and
automobiles.
Total export prices rose 5.7% year/year, while non-agricultural
export prices rose 6.0% over the same period. Prices of agricultural
exports were up 3.2% year/year.
The country data showed gains in import prices from every major
trading area except a 0.3% decline in the price of imports from Japan.
** Market News International Washington Bureau (202) 371-2121
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