Import Prices Rise in September

The price of goods imported to the United States rose in September, on higher fuel costs, following a gain the prior month, the Labor Department reported Oct. 23.

September’s 0.2% gain followed a 0.2% rise in August. Economists’ forecast matched the rise, Bloomberg News reported.

The cost of imported goods minus fuel rose 0.1% last month, the first increase since February, Bloomberg said.

U.S. export prices increased 0.3%, the biggest rise since February.

Companies may have a difficult time passing on increased costs of imported goods to customers as domestic demand struggles to accelerate, Bloomberg reported.