Supply Chain Research

U.S. import prices fell 0.3% in November vs. October, the fastest drop since February but slightly slower than the 0.4% slide expected by economists. Adjusting for fuel though prices were 0.3% lower than a year earlier, the slowest rate since December 2014. Combining such a small move in prices with a 5.5% increase in seaborne shipments suggests U.S. imports could top $190 billion for the first time since March 2015. Yet, for the past four months seaborne import growth was offset by air, truck and rail volumes falling.