Italy: Inflation picks up in March from the prior month
Latest reading: Harmonized consumer prices increased 1.6% in annual terms in March, following a 1.5% rise in the prior month.
Relative to the previous month’s figures, there were higher price pressures for food and non-alcoholic beverages (+2.8% in annual terms vs +2.4% in February), transportation (+2.0% vs -0.5% in February) and housing and utilities (-1.5% vs -2.1% in February). In contrast, there were reduced price pressures for recreation (+1.3% vs +1.4% in February) and restaurants and hotels (+3.5% vs +6.1% in February).
Meanwhile, consumer prices were up 1.7% in annual terms in March, following a 1.5% rise in the previous month.
Lastly, harmonized consumer prices were up 1.70% in March in month-on-month terms, following a 0.50% increase in the prior month.