France: HICP inflation edges down in February
March 15, 2018
Revised data released by the National Statistical Institute (INSEE) on 15 March showed that consumer prices were unchanged in February from the previous month (previously reported: -0.1% month-on-month), contrasting the 0.1% month-on-month drop observed in January. Lower prices for food products, manufactured goods offset higher prices for services.
Inflation inched down from January’s 1.3% to 1.2% in February. Meanwhile, annual average inflation in February was stable at the previous month’s reading of 1.0%.
Harmonized consumer prices also remained flat from the previous month in February, coming in above the 0.1% drop observed in January. Harmonized inflation dropped from 1.5% in January to 1.3% in February. Lastly, annual average HICP inflation inched down from 1.2% in January to 1.1% in February.
France Inflation Forecast
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect HICP inflation to average 1.3% in 2018, which is up 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. For 2019, panelists project that inflation will be 1.5%.
