Switzerland: Inflation rises in February
Consumer prices increased 0.66% in February over the previous month, picking up from January’s 0.17% rise. February’s result marked the highest reading since April 2010. Looking at the details of the release, transportation prices rose in February after dropping in the previous month, while price pressures for healthcare dropped.
Inflation came in at 2.2% in February, which was up from January’s 1.6%. February’s figure was the highest inflation rate since October 2008. Meanwhile, the trend pointed up slightly, with annual average inflation coming in at 1.0% in February (January: 0.8%).
Looking ahead, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is leading to higher global commodity prices, although the impact on headline inflation in Switzerland should be somewhat muffled by the recent appreciation of the franc due to safe-haven demand.