Italy: Inflation inches up in January
Consumer prices rose 0.2% month-on-month in January, matching December’s increase, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute (ISTAT) on 4 February. The figure mainly reflected higher prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages and alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which more than offset lower prices for recreation and culture—influenced by seasonal factors. Meanwhile, inflation accelerated from 0.5% in December to 0.6% in the first month of the year.
Core consumer prices, which exclude more volatile categories such as unprocessed food and energy, increased 0.2% from the previous month in January, mirroring December’s uptick. Meanwhile, core inflation accelerated from December’s 0.7% to 0.8%, while harmonized inflation was stable at December’s 0.5% in January.