Italy: Inflation stable in January
February 22, 2018
According to revised data released by the National Statistical Institute (Istat) on 22 February, consumer prices rose 0.3% on a monthly basis in January (previously reported: 0.2% month-on-month), down from December’s 0.4% increase. The figure mainly reflected higher prices for regulated energy products and processed food including alcohol, which more than offset lower prices for services related to transport. Meanwhile, inflation came in at a revised 0.9% in January (previously reported: 0.8%), matching the previous month’s print.
Core consumer prices, which exclude more volatile categories such as unprocessed food and energy, grew 0.1% in January month-on-month, following December’s stronger 0.3% rise. However, core inflation was 0.6% in January, up from December’s 0.4%. Finally, harmonized inflation came in at 1.2%, above December’s 1.0%.
Italy Inflation Forecast
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists expect inflation of 1.4% in 2018, which is unchanged from last month’s projection. For 2019, panelists expect inflation to average 1.5%.
