Chile: Inflation slips below the Central Bank’s target in October
Consumer prices rose 0.4% from the previous month in October, up slightly from September’s 0.3% increase. According to the National Statistical Institute (INE), the increase was primarily driven by higher prices for transport services, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and food.
Inflation moderated to 2.9% in October (September: 3.1%), falling just below the mid-point of the Central Bank’s 2.0%–4.0% tolerance range. The result was in line with the expectations of market analysts and came on the heels of the first policy rate hike in nearly three years in mid-October. Meanwhile, average inflation over the last 12 months ticked up to 2.3% in October (September: 2.2%).
After removing volatile categories such as fruit, vegetables and fuel, core consumer prices increased 0.1% month-on-month in October, unchanged from September’s reading. Meanwhile, core inflation decelerated to 1.9% in October (September: 2.3%).