MNI DATA ANALYSIS: April US Import Prices Up 0.3%>

--Import Prices Ex. Fuels Up 0.2%, Ex-Petro Up 0.1%

--Import Prices Up 3.3% Y/Y, Ex-Fuels Up 1.8% Y/Y

--Fuel Prices Rise 1.3%, Petroleum Up 1.6%, Natural Gas Fall 4.4%

By Kevin Kastner and Holly Stokes

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - Import prices rebounded by 0.3% in April 

following a downward revised 0.2% decline in March, with a recovery in 

energy prices and gains in other industrial supplies the key factors, 

according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday. 

     The data suggest imported inflation growth remains modest outside 

of significant price acceleration for energy products. 

     Overall fuel prices rose 1.3%, with petroleum prices up 1.6%, but 

natural gas prices fell 4.4%. 

     Import prices were up only 0.1% excluding petroleum and were up 

0.2% excluding all fuels. There was strength in industrial supplies 

outside of fuels, along with modest gains in imported autos and consumer 

goods. Capital goods prices were flat and prices of foods, feeds, and 

beverage declined. 

     Overall import prices were up 3.3% year/year in April, the same as 

in the previous two months, while prices excluding fuels were up 1.8% 

year/year and prices excluding petroleum were up 1.7% year/year. Energy 

prices are still leading the rise for imported inflation. 

--PRICES UP FROM MOST REGIONS

     By region, prices for imports from most industrialized countries 

were generally higher. There were price gains from Canada, the EU, and 

Japan that were offset by declines from Mexico and China. 

     Total export prices rose 0.6% in April despite a 1.2% drop in 

agricultural export prices. Export prices excluding agriculture saw a 

0.7% increase. Export prices were up 3.8% from a year earlier, up 

sharply from the 3.4% year/year gain in March. Export prices excluding 

agriculture were up 4.0% year/year, while agricultural prices were up 

only 1.4% year/year. 

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

[TOPICS: MAUDS$,M$U$$$,MAUDR$]