U.S. import prices and export prices rose by 0.6% and 0.7%, respectively, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Friday. This is the second straight month U.S. export prices have risen by 0.7%.
The consensus forecast for imports was looking for a 0.4% gain, ranging from a low of 0.3% to a high of 0.6%. The consensus forecast for exports was looking for a 0.3% gain, ranging from a low of 0.1% to a high of 0.3%.
| Prior | Revised | Consensus | Range | Actual | |
| Import Prices – M/M | 0.6% | 1.0% | 0.4% | 0.3% — 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Export Prices – M/M | 0.6% | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.1% — 0.3% | 0.7% |
| Import Prices – Y/Y | -1.3% | -0.8% | -0.6% | -1.0% — -0.4% | 0.0% |
| Export Prices – Y/Y | 0.3 % | 0.3 % | 0.6 % |
Imports
Prices for U.S. imports have advanced by 1.7% in the first 3 months of 2019. The increase for the 3 months ended in March was the largest 3-month rise since the index rose 1.9% between October 2017 and January 2018.
The import price index recorded no change over the past 12 months.
Exports
Prices for U.S. imports advanced 0.7% the previous month after declining 0.6% in January and December. Prices for nonagricultural and agricultural exports each contributed to the total gain in March.
U.S. export prices rose 0.6 percent over the past 12 months.
