The cost of imported goods rose 2 percent in August, primarily due to a 9.8 percent increase in fuel prices, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said today. Import prices fell 0.7 percent in July. The price of exports rose 0.7 percent after falling 0.3 percent in July. Higher prices for corn and fruit resulted in a 0.2 increase in the price of agricultural exports. However, the overall cost of goods shipped out of the United States declined 6.1 percent in the year ended in August, with the price of agricultural goods falling 14.1 percent during the period.

Principal Financial Group Inc.’s chief financial officer said yesterday that the company may post nearly $330 million in losses on bonds this year, Canwest News Service reported. Speaking at the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Insurance Conference in New York on Thursday, Terry Lillis said that under a “severe stress” model, realized losses on Principal’s $31.2 billion bond portfolio may peak in 2009. “Right now, we’re in a cycle where we’re seeing more potential losses in our bond portfolio,” he said. “That will transfer and move into commercial mortgages, and then later in the cycle you’ll see some losses that turn up in our commercial-mortgage-backed securities.” Lillis added that the losses will “all be manageable’ and the company won’t be forced to offload assets.

The Des Moines Symphony is planning a “mystery tour” for 5 p.m. tomorrow as part of its season debut party, with a local tour guide leading an excursion to discover local food, wine and entertainment. Some hidden gems will be thrown in, as well. You have to book a pass for the ride. The fare is $95. The tour will wrap up with the symphony’s season-opening concert. For more information and to reserve a seat, go to www.dmsymphony.org or call 280-4004.

The most recent data released by the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that Iowa improved its national ranking in foreclosures to sixth in the second quarter of the year from 26th in the first quarter of 2007, a move that Attorney General Tom Miller credits in part to establishment of the state’s mortgage help hotline. A coalition of organizations help callers work out loan modifications and make other arrangements to avoid foreclosure. Since February 2008, the hotline, which was established with a $1.5 million federal grant, has taken 8,500 calls and received 6,600 applications for help from all 99 counties. The number is (877) 622-4866. More information is available at www.IowaMortgageHelp.com.

The number of Iowans without health insurance is on the rise, according to U.S. Census Bureau data that was evaluated by the Iowa Policy Project and the Child & Family Policy Center. The state’s trends show that 9.4 percent of the population was without health insurance coverage in either 2007 or 2008. In the 2000 to 2001 period, 7.9 percent of the population lacked health insurance. On a two-year average, the rate of uninsured Iowans increased 19 percent, compared with a national increase of 10 percent.