Tags: imports

U.S. Import Prices Down 0.2 Percent in February

Friday, 13 March 2009 07:56 AM EDT

WASHINGTON -- U.S. import prices fell by a smaller-than-expected margin in February as petroleum costs rebounded for the first time in six months, a government report showed on Friday.

The Labor Department said import prices slipped 0.2 percent, the smallest decrease since last July, after falling by a revised 1.2 percent in January. The February drop was smaller than market expectations for a 0.8 percent decline.

Imported petroleum prices rose 3.9 percent in February, advancing for the first time since last July, after dropping by 4.2 percent the prior month.

Compared to the same period last year, import prices were down 12.8 percent in February, the biggest decline since the index was first published in September 1982, the department said.

Prices of imports from China fell for six straight months, sliding 0.5 percent, but were up 1.0 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

Prices for U.S. exports dipped 0.1 percent in February, in line with market expectations, after increasing 0.5 percent the prior month. Prices were dragged down by a drop in agricultural, food and vehicle exports.

Export prices for the year through February were down 4.5 percent, the largest 12-month decline since the series started in September 1983, as the global economic rout depressed demand.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Economy
WASHINGTON -- U.S. import prices fell by a smaller-than-expected margin in February as petroleum costs rebounded for the first time in six months, a government report showed on Friday.The Labor Department said import prices slipped 0.2 percent, the smallest decrease since...
imports
209
2009-56-13
Friday, 13 March 2009 07:56 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
Get Newsmax Text Alerts
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
MONEYNEWS.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved