MNI DATA ANALYSIS: September US Import Prices Rise 0.5%>

--Import Prices Ex. Fuels Flat, Ex-Petro Flat

--Import Prices Rise 3.5% Y/Y; Ex-Fuels Up 0.6% Y/Y 

--Fuel Prices Up 3.8%, Petroleum Up 4.1%, Natural Gas Down -4.0%

By Harrison Clarke and Shikha Dave

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - Import prices were up in September, above the 

0.2% gain expected and following a 0.4% decline in August, according to 

data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday. 

     The data suggest import inflation growth remains mild after 

declines in the previous two months. 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 up 3.8% in the month, with petroleum 

prices up 4.1%, and natural gas prices down 4.0%. 

     Import prices were flat excluding petroleum and flat excluding all 

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

supplies and materials, a flat reading for capital goods and a decline 

in consumer goods ex autos. 

     Overall import prices were up 3.5% year/year in September after a 

3.7% year/year gain the previous month. Prices excluding fuels were up 

0.6% year/year and prices excluding petroleum were also up 0.6% 

year/year. 

--PRICES MIXED AMONG REGIONS 

     By region, prices for imports from most industrialized countries 

were mixed. Import prices from Canada rose 0.7%, due to a 4.4% increase 

in non-manufacturing goods that was accompanied by a 0.5% decline in 

manufacturing goods. The latter could rise further as the impact of 

tariffs is seen. 

     There were mixed readings in import prices from most other trading 

partners. Prices from China fell 0.1%, and prices from the EU fell 0.2% 

in the month, while prices from Mexico rose 0.9%. 

     Total export prices were flat in September despite a 1.4% decline 

in agricultural export prices. Export prices excluding agriculture 

posted a 0.2% gain. Export prices were up 2.7% from a year earlier, but 

down from the 3.6% year/year gain in August. Export prices excluding 

agriculture were up 3.3% year/year, while agricultural prices were down 

2.3% year/year. 

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

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