December 10, 1999 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Import prices rise again in November

The U.S. Import Price Index increased 0.5 percent in November. The increase—the fifth in a row—was the same as in October.

Percent change in import price indexes, all imports and petroleum imports, Dec. 1998.-Nov. 1999
[Chart data—TXT]

Import prices were up 4.2 percent since June and 5.5 percent over the past 12 months. The recent gains were in marked contrast to the 6.5 percent decline recorded during the November 1997-98 period.

The petroleum index, which has increased nine consecutive months, continued to lead the upswing for overall imports. In November, petroleum prices rose 1.9 percent and were at their highest level since January 1997. Over the past 12 months, the petroleum index has almost doubled, gaining 95.2 percent.

These data are a product of the BLS International Price program. Learn more in "U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes - November 1999," news release USDL 99-349. Note: import price data are subject to revision in each of the three months after original publication.

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