Import prices held steady (3.6% y/y) during March following a 0.3% February increase, revised from 0.4%. A 0.2% rise had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

Petroleum import prices declined 1.3% (+19.4% y/y) following a 0.8% fall. Nonpetroleum import prices ticked 0.1% higher (2.1% y/y) after two months of firm increase. Amongst end-use categories, industrial supplies and materials prices excluding petroleum increased 0.6% (8.1% y/y) after a 0.5% rise. Among other detail categories, prices of foods, feeds and beverages rose 0.6% (4.1% y/y) after a 1.0% jump. Capital goods prices increased 0.2% (1.4% y/y after a 0.4% rise. Prices of computers, peripherals & semiconductors gained 0.4% (1.6% y/y) for a second straight month. Capital goods prices excluding computers, semiconductors & peripherals improved 0.1% (1.2% y/y) following a 0.4% increase. Prices of motor vehicles and parts declined 0.2% (+0.5% y/y) following a 0.2% rise. Prices of consumer goods excluding automobiles eased 0.1% (+0.3% y/y) after a 0.6% strengthening.

Export prices increased an expected 0.3% (3.4% y/y) following an unrevised 0.2% gain.

Agricultural export prices surged 3.4% (3.0% y/y) following a 0.6% rise. Nonagricultural export prices eased 0.1% (+3.4% y/y) after a 0.2% gain. Amongst the end-use categories, overall foods, feeds and beverage prices surged 3.3% (2.9% y/y) following a 0.6% rise. Prices of industrial supplies and materials fell 0.4% (+7.1% y/y) after a 0.3% increase, as petroleum prices fell 3.2% (+16.6% y/y), down for the second straight month. Nonagricultural supplies and materials prices excluding fuels and building materials strengthened 0.6% (4.8% y/y) after two months of even stronger increase. Non-auto consumer goods prices held steady (2.3% y/y) after a 0.4% gain. Prices of motor vehicles and parts inched 0.1% higher (0.7% y/y) following a 0.2% rise. Capital goods prices also rose 0.1% (1.5% y/y), the same as in February. Prices of computers, peripherals & semiconductors rose 0.6% (2.3% y/y) after four months of stability. Capital goods prices excluding computers, peripherals & semiconductors were unchanged (1.4% y/y) after rising 0.2% for three straight months. Auto export prices ticked 0.1% higher (0.7% y/y) after a 0.2% rise.

The import and export price series can be found in Haver's USECON database. Detailed figures are available in the USINT database. The expectations figure from the Action Economics Forecast Survey is in the AS1REPNA database.

Vulnerable Growth from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York can be found here.