By Ian McKendry
WASHINGTON (MNI) – U.S. import prices rose 1.1% in September,
rising for the first time in four months on a monthly basis, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics reported Thursday.
The 1.1% rise was led by an increase in fuel prices which rose by
4.4%, although nonfuel prices increased as well. Within the fuel price
rise, petroleum import prices increased 4.6%.
Excluding food and fuels, import prices increased 0.1% in September
compared to a 0.2% drop in August.
Import prices over the past 12 months are lower by 0.6% and
exluding petroleum are down 0.9%.
Non-fuel import prices saw a 0.2% increase September but are down
0.5% over the last 12 months.
The BLS said the rise in non-fuel import prices was led by higher
prices for foods, feeds and beverages (+1.7%), finished goods (+0.2%)
and autos (+0.3%) which offeset declines in prices for nonfuel
industrial supplies and materials (-0.2%).
By region, prices for imports from China fell 0.1% in
September, while prices of imports from Canada rose 1.5%. Import
prices from the European fell 0.1%.
The BLS reported that export prices decreased by 0.5% in September
and 0.9% on a year-over-year basis.
Agricultural export prices increased 1.1% and are up 6.7% year over
year. Nonagricultural export prices also rose (0.7%) but are down 1.5%
over the past year.
** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: MAUDS$,MT$$$$,M$U$$$,MAUDR$]
