Import Prices Up 0.2% for First Time in 4 Months

Import prices are up and export prices are down for July, according to a Labor Department report (link opens a PDF) released today.

Import prices increased 0.2% for July, reversing a four-month trend of decreasing prices. Analysts had expected as much with a sharp 0.9% increase prediction, but their estimate proved too pricey. This month's increase was largely driven by fuel prices, up 2.5% compared with a continually declining 0.4% drop in non-fuel import prices.

Source: Labor Department.

Export prices fell another 0.1% for July, marking exports' fifth month of price declines in contrast to analysts' predictions of a 0.2% increase. Agricultural prices packed the most punch, dropping 0.3% after a 0.8% increase in June. Nonagricultural export prices recorded no change for July.

Source: Labor Department..

On a regional basis, import prices from Japan fell 0.5%, while China prices decreased 0.1%. E.U. import prices bumped up 0.2% for July, while Mexico imports cost around 0.5% more.

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