May 11, 2007 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Import prices in April

The U.S. Import Price Index rose 1.3 percent in April 2007. For the second consecutive month the increase was led by higher petroleum prices.

Over-the-month percent change in price index for imports, April 2006–April 2007 (not seasonally adjusted)
[Chart data—TXT]

The 2.8-percent increase in import prices over the past two months drove the index to the highest level recorded since petroleum prices peaked in August 2006. This was largely attributable to the price index for petroleum which rose a further 6.5 percent in April after an 8.1-percent gain in March and a 1.7-percent advance in February. 

Despite the recent increases, petroleum prices were down 1.8 percent over the past year. Nonpetroleum prices also rose in April, advancing 0.2 percent following a 0.3-percent increase in March. The nonpetroleum price index was up 2.9 percent over the past 12 months. 

Overall import prices rose 1.9 percent for the year ended in April 2007.

These data are from the BLS International Price program. Import and export price data are subject to revision. Learn more in "U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes -- April 2007" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 07-0675.

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