To: SpudFarmer who wrote (53236 ) 12/9/1999 1:18:00 PM From: T L Comiskey Respond to of 152472
Thursday - 12:24 12/09/99, EST US Import, Export Prices Rose in Nov. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. import prices rose a fifth straight month in November as petroleum import prices continued to show gains although at a slower pace, the government said on Thursday. The Labor Department said U.S. import prices rose 0.5 percent last month after a matching gain in October. Petroleum import prices were up 1.9 percent, a ninth straight monthly rise but the smallest gain since 0.4 percent in June. Excluding petroleum, November import prices rose 0.3 percent, the largest gain since 0.4 percent in September 1996, following a 0.1 percent October rise. Wall Street economists surveyed by Reuters had expected November import prices to rise 0.4 percent. Import prices were up 5.5 percent in the 12 months ended in November, while nonpetroleum imports fell 0.2 percent in the same period, Labor said. Prices of imported foods, feeds and beverages also rose 1.6 percent in November, while industrial supplies increased 1.5 percent. But automotive vehicles, parts and engines, capital goods and consumer goods other than autos were flat. Export prices rose 0.2 percent in November after a 0.3 percent gain the prior month. Nonagricultural export prices rose 0.4 percent after a 0.3 percent gain in October. Prices of exported agricultural commodities fell 0.8 percent in November after a 0.1 percent drop in October. Foods, feeds and beverages were also down 0.7 percent in November. But export prices of industrial supplies and materials rose 0.9 percent last month. Capital goods and consumer goods excluding autos also had modest gains, but prices of exported autos and parts were flat, Labor said.