South Africa: Inflation rises in January
Consumer prices rose 0.3% in January, matching December’s result. The reading reflected higher prices for durable goods, which were partly offset by lower administrative prices.
Inflation climbed to 4.5% from December’s 4.0%, thus landing in the midpoint of the Central Bank’s 3.0%–6.0% target band. Meanwhile, core inflation edged down to 3.7% in January from 3.8% a month prior, while annual average inflation inched up to 4.2% (December: 4.1%).