Italian inflation slowed down slightly, falling to 3,2% in January from 3,3% in December, while remaining at high levels. This was communicated by Istat, which released the preliminary estimate of consumer prices for January. Prices recorded an increase of 0,3% on a monthly basis.
Core inflation, calculated net of energy goods and fresh food, is stable at 2,4%. Net of energy goods alone, the trend growth rate of the consumer price index – explained Istat – drops to 2,2% from 2,3% in December. The inflation acquired for 2012 is equal to 1,6%.
Even worse news arrives on the front of the so-called "shopping cart": prices of the most frequently purchased products increase, in January, by 0,8% on a monthly basis and by 4,2% on an annual basis (+4,3% on December). In particular, the price of petrol, according to Istat data, increased by 4,9% on the previous month and by 17,4% on an annual basis (from 15,8% in December).
