Sweden: CPI inflation stable in March, CPIF inflation edges down
Consumer prices in Sweden rose 0.2% in March, down from the 0.7% increase logged in January. According to Statistics Sweden, higher prices in March were recorded in the categories: food and non-alcoholic beverages; clothing and footwear; and transport. Meanwhile, these were offset by lower prices for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; communication; and recreation and culture.
The CPI with a fixed interest rate (CPIF) slowed to 1.8% in March from 1.9% in February, remaining within the Central Bank’s 1.0%–3.0% tolerance band but once more undershooting the Bank’s expectations. Meanwhile, CPI inflation was stable at 1.9% in March. Core CPIF inflation—which excludes volatile energy costs—inched up to 1.5% in March from 1.4%, while core CPI inflation ticked down to 1.8% in March from 1.9% in February.