MNI DATA IMPACT: US March Import Prices Above-Expected +0.6%>

--Import Prices Rise Only 0.2% Ex-Petro

--Export Prices Rise 0.7%

--Fuel Prices Up 6.4%, Petroleum Up 4.7%, Natural Gas Rises 42.3%

By Shikha Dave and Harrison Clarke

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The March import price data were up 0.6%, 

above expectations for a 0.4% gain by both the Bloomberg consensus and 

an MNI survey of analysts, but a smaller gain than 1.0% in February, 

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

     Here are some of the key takeaways from the data released Friday:

     - Import prices increased 0.2% excluding petroleum, but fell 0.2% 

excluding all fuels. There were gains in food, and industrial supplies 

and materials, partially offset by declines in capital goods and 

consumer goods excluding autos. Fuel prices were up 6.4% in the month, 

with petroleum prices rising 4.7%. Natural gas prices were also up 

42.3%. This gain in fuels was the main driver of the overall gain in 

import prices. 

     - Overall import prices were flat year/year in March after a 0.8% 

year/year decline the previous month. Prices excluding fuels were down 

0.8% year/year and prices excluding petroleum were down 0.3% year/year. 

     - By region, prices for imports from most industrialized countries 

were generally mixed. Import prices from Canada rose 2.0%, due to a 6.3% 

increase in non-manufacturing goods that was accompanied by a 0.2% gain 

in manufacturing goods. Prices from China and Mexico were flat, while  

prices from the EU rose 0.3% in the month. 

     - Total export prices were up 0.7% in March on a 0.9% increase in 

agricultural export prices. Export prices excluding agriculture posted a 

0.7% gain. Export prices were up 0.6% from a year earlier and up from 

the 0.3% year/year gain in February. Export prices excluding agriculture 

were up 1.0% year/year, while agricultural prices were down 2.3% 

year/year. 

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

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