The latest import prices and export prices, including data and reports. (Photo: REUTERS)
The Labor Department said Thursday that import prices in April rose for a second straight month to 0.3%, missing the median forecast for an increase of 0.5%. The increase in inflation comes after March’s previously reported 0.2% gain.
The report also showed export prices increased 0.5 percent in April, the largest rise since May 2015, after being flat in March. Export prices were down 5.0 percent from a year ago.
Excluding petroleum, import prices increased slightly by 0.1%, the first gain since March 2014. Food import prices gained 1.3% last month, which is the largest gain since March 2014. Prices for imported industrial supplies and materials excluding petroleum increased by 0.4%.
Prices for imported capital goods fell 0.1% and the cost of imported automobiles ticked up 0.1%. Prices for imported consumer goods excluding autos fell 0.3%.
