The U.S. Import Price Index rose 2.1% in April, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The increase was led by the largest rise in petroleum prices in over a year. Export prices advanced 0.6 percent, the fifth consecutive monthly increase for the index.

• The advance was driven by an 11.5% jump in petroleum prices which followed a comparatively modest 0.5% rise the previous month. The April increase in petroleum prices was the largest for the index since a 13.4% rise in March 2005. Petroleum prices rose 32.5% over the past 12 months.
• For the year ended in April, nonpetroleum prices increased 0.8% while overall import prices advanced 5.9%.
• Nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials prices increased 6.1% for the year ended in April.
• Import prices for foods, feeds, and beverages and for consumer goods declined in April, falling 0.9% and 0.1%, respectively.
• The import price index for capital goods was unchanged in April and down 1.5% over the past year.
• Prices for imports from Japan fell 0.2% and from China declined 0.1% in April. 
• Import air passenger fares rose 5.7% in April, the largest monthly increase for the index since a 10.2% jump in June 2005.

U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ximpim.nr0.htm