MNI DATA IMPACT: US April Import Prices Below-Expected +0.2%>

--Ex-Petro Import Prices Fall 0.6%; Export Prices Rise 0.2%

--Fuel Prices Up 2.5%, Petroleum Rises 6.1%, Natural Gas Down 53.7%

--Import Prices From China -0.2% For 2-Yr Low -1.1% Y/Y

By Kevin Kastner and Harrison Clarke

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The April import price data were up 0.2%, well 

below expectations for a 0.7% gain by the Bloomberg consensus and an MNI 

survey of analysts, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics on Tuesday.  

     Here are some of the key takeaways from the data:

     - Import prices fell 0.6% excluding petroleum, but fell only 0.1% 

excluding all fuels due to a large drop in natural gas prices. A 

gain in foods, feeds and beverages (largest in three years) offset 

declines in industrial supplies 

and materials outside of fuels, capital goods, consumer 

goods, and autos. 

     - Fuel prices were up 2.5% in the month, with petroleum prices 

rising 6.1%. Natural gas prices were down a record 53.7%. 

     - Overall import prices were down 0.2% year/year in April, while 

prices excluding fuels were down 1.1% year/year and prices excluding 

petroleum were down 1.0% year/year. 

     - By region, prices for imports from most industrialized countries 

were generally up. Import prices from Canada rose 1.3%, while prices 

from Mexico were up 1.1% and prices from the EU rose 0.1% in the month. 

The glaring exception was a 0.2% decline from China, which drove the 

year/year rate down 1.1%, the largest decline since May 2017 as tariff 

talks continue. 

     - Total export prices were up 0.2% in April despite a 1.5% decline 

in agricultural export prices. Export prices excluding agriculture 

posted a 0.4% gain. Export prices were up 0.3% from a year earlier, 

while export prices excluding agriculture rose 0.7% year/year and 

agricultural prices were down 2.8% year/year. 

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

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