REPEAT:MNI DATA ANALYSIS: June US Import Prices Down 0.4%>

Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 12:30 GMT Jul 13

--Import Prices Ex. Fuels Fall 0.3%, Ex-Petro Fall 0.3%

--Import Prices Up 4.3% Y/Y, Ex-Fuels Up 1.5% Y/Y

--Fuel Prices Fall 0.7%, Petroleum Fall 0.8%, Natural Gas Fall 6.0%

By Kevin Kastner, Shikha Dave, and Harrison Clarke

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - Import prices fell by 0.4% in June, below the 

flat reading expected and following a 0.9% rise in May, according to 

data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday. 

     The data suggest imported inflation growth slowed after a strong 

May gain, even as the threat of tariffs escalated. 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 fell 0.7%, with petroleum prices down 0.8%, and 

natural gas prices down 6.0%. 

     Import prices were down 0.3% excluding petroleum and were down 

0.3% excluding all fuels. There were declines in every category except 

industrial supplies outside of the energy components. 

     Overall import prices were up 4.3% year/year in June after a 4.5% 

year/year gain the previous month. Prices excluding fuels were up 1.5% 

year/year and prices excluding petroleum were up 1.4% year/year. Energy 

prices are still leading the rise for imported inflation. 

     --PRICES FALL FROM MOST REGIONS 

     By region, prices for imports from most industrialized countries 

were generally lower. Import prices from Canada fell 0.3%, but that was 

entirely due to a 3.5% decline in non-manufacturing goods. Prices for 

manufacturing goods from Canada rose 0.7%, and could rise further as the 

impact of tariffs is seen.

There were declines in import prices from most other trading partners, 

except the UK. Import prices from China were flat.

     Total export prices rose 0.3% in June despite a 1.0% decline in 

agricultural export prices. Export prices excluding agriculture saw a 

0.4% increase. Export prices were up 5.3% from a year earlier, up from

the 4.9% year/year gain in May. Export prices excluding agriculture were 

up 5.4% year/year, while agricultural prices were also up 5.4% 

year/year. 

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