December 12, 2003 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Import prices in November

The U.S. Import Price Index increased 0.4 percent in November. A rise in the price indexes for both petroleum and nonpetroleum imports contributed to the increase.

Over-the-month percent change in price index for imports, November 2002–November 2003 (not seasonally adjusted)
[Chart data—TXT]

Prices for every major category of import goods either increased or posted no change in November. Import petroleum prices were up 1.1 percent last month, after rising 1.4 percent in October. Over the November 2002-2003 period, petroleum prices increased 11.9 percent. 

Prices for nonpetroleum imports rose 0.3 percent in November and were up 1.1 percent over the past 12 months. Overall import prices were up 2.1 percent over the same 12-month period.

Export prices increased 0.5 percent in November, following a 0.3 percent rise in October and a 0.4 percent rise in September. Prices for overall exports were up 1.8 percent over the November 2002-2003 period.

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 - November 2003" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 03-884.

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