November 13, 2007 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Import prices in October 2007

The U.S. Import Price Index advanced 1.8 percent in October, led by a 6.9-percent rise in petroleum prices.

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

The 1.8-percent rise in import prices in October was the largest monthly increase since a similar change in May 2006. The advance followed a 0.8-percent rise in September. Petroleum prices increased 6.9 percent in October and rose 41.4 percent for the 12 months ended in October.

Nonpetroleum prices also advanced in October, rising 0.5 percent. The increase in nonpetroleum prices in October followed a 0.2-percent decline in September. Nonpetroleum prices advanced 3.2 percent over the year while the price index for overall imports rose 9.6 percent for the same period.

These data are from the BLS International Price program. Import price data are subject to revision. Learn more in "U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes -- October 2007" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 07-1742.