In March, inflation slows down again. According to preliminary estimates by Istat, the national consumer price index for the whole community (Nic), gross of tobacco, increased by 0,3% compared to the previous month and by 1,7% against March 2012 (it was +1,9% in February).
The shopping cart registers a slowdown on an annual basis compared to the previous month: the prices of the products most frequently purchased by consumers increase by 0,1% on a monthly basis and by 2% on an annual basis, a further slowdown from 2,4% of February. This is the lowest value since September 2010.
The further slowdown in inflation in March, the sixth in a row - explains the statistical institute - is mainly attributable to the slowdown in the growth on an annual basis of the prices of unregulated energy goods (+0,2%, from +2,9 % of February).
Contributing to the cyclical increase in the index - explains Istat - are, in particular, the increases on a monthly basis in the prices of services relating to transport (+1,7%) and of recreational, cultural and health care services person (+0,7%), mostly due to seasonal factors.
The acquired inflation for 2013 is equal to 1%. In March, core inflation, calculated net of energy goods and fresh food, fell to 1,4% (it was +1,5% in February). Net of energy goods alone, the trend growth of the index of consumer prices remains stable at 1,5%.
Compared to March 2012, the growth rate of goods prices drops to 1,7%, from 2% in February, and that of services prices stabilizes at the same value. Therefore, the inflationary differential between goods and services is zeroed.
According to preliminary estimates, the harmonized index of consumer prices (Ipca) increases by 2,3% on a monthly basis and by 1,8% on an annual basis, with a deceleration of two tenths of a percentage point compared to the value recorded in February (+2%). The economic upturn is largely due to the end of the winter sales, which the Nic does not take into account.
