MNI DATA ANALYSIS: December US Import Prices Fall 1.0%>

--Import Prices Ex. Fuels Flat, Ex-Petro Up 0.3%

--Import Prices Down 0.6% Y/Y; Ex-Fuels Up 0.5% Y/Y 

--Fuel Prices Down 9.2%, Petroleum Down 11.6%, Natural Gas Up 30.3%

By Harrison Clarke and Shikha Dave

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - Import prices were down 1.0% in December, above 

the 1.3% decline expected and following a 1.9% decline in November, 

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

     The data suggest import inflation growth is softening after a 

decline last month and a rise in October. The data set is likely to get 

more attention when the full effect of the tariffs can be found in both 

the import and export price measures. 

     Overall fuel prices were down 9.2% in the month, with petroleum 

prices down 11.6%, but natural gas prices up 30.3%. 

     Import prices were up 0.3% excluding petroleum and flat excluding 

all fuels. There were gains in foods, feeds, and beverages, and in 

consumer goods ex autos. Industrial supplies and materials and capital 

goods prices both posted declines.  

     Overall import prices were down 0.6% year/year in December after a 

0.7% year/year gain the previous month. Prices excluding fuels were up 

0.5% year/year and prices excluding petroleum were up 1.0% year/year. 

--PRICES GENERALLY FALL AMONG REGIONS 

     By region, prices for imports from most industrialized countries 

were generally down. Import prices from Canada fell 1.5%, due to a 3.0% 

decrease in non-manufacturing goods that was accompanied by a 1.2% 

decline in manufacturing goods.

     There were generally negative readings in import prices from most 

other trading partners. Prices from China were flat, and prices from the 

EU fell 0.1% in the month, while prices from Mexico fell 0.5%. 

     Total export prices were down 0.6% in December despite a 3.9% 

increase in agricultural export prices. Export prices excluding 

agriculture posted a 1.1% decline. Export prices were up 1.1% from a 

year earlier, but down from the 1.8% year/year gain in November. Export 

prices excluding agriculture were up 1.0% year/year, while agricultural 

prices were up 2.5% year/year. 

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

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