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India Inflation Rate at 16-Month Low
Retail price inflation in India fell to 4.06 percent in January of 2021 from 4.59 percent in December. It is the lowest reading since September of 2019 and below market forecasts of 4.45 percent. Also, the inflation rate stayed within the central bank's target of 2-6 percent for the second consecutive month. Food inflation slowed sharply to 1.89 percent from 3.41 percent, mainly due to a 15.84 percent slump in vegetables prices. Miscellaneous price inflation also eased to 6.49 percent from 6.6 percent. On the other hand, prices increased slightly more for pan, tobacco and intoxicants (10.87 percent vs 10.74 percent), housing (3.25 percent vs 3.21 percent), fuel and light (3.87 percent vs 2.99 percent), and clothing and footwear (3.82 percent vs 3.49 percent).
Published on 2021-02-12

India Inflation Rate Lowest in 15 Months
India's retail price inflation dropped to 4.59 percent year-on-year in December 2020, the lowest in 15 months, from 6.93 percent in November and below market expectations of 5.28 percent. It is the first time since March that prices remain within the central bank's 2-6 percent target range mainly due to a slowdown in the cost of food (3.41 percent vs 9.50 percent). Miscellaneous price inflation also eased to 6.60 percent from 6.94 percent. Meanwhile, prices rose at a faster pace for pan, tobacco and intoxicants (10.74 percent vs 10.36 percent), housing (3.21 percent vs 3.19 percent), fuel and light (2.99 percent vs 1.90 percent), and clothing and footwear (3.49 percent vs 3.30 percent). On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined 1 percent, the first monthly drop since May.
Published on 2021-01-12

India Inflation Rate Slows More Than Forecast
India's retail price inflation eased to 6.93 percent year-on-year in November 2020, from an over six-year high of 7.61 percent in the previous month and compared with market expectations of 7.10 percent. Sill, inflation remained above the central bank's 2-6 percent target range for an eight straight month. Cost of food increased at a slower pace (9.43 percent vs 11.0 percent), as well as prices of pan, tobacco and intoxicants (10.36 percent vs 10.65 percent), housing (3.19 percent vs 3.27 percent), and fuel and light (1.90 percent vs 2.28 percent). On the other hand, inflation picked up for clothing and footwear (3.30 percent vs 3.17 percent) and miscellaneous (6.94 percent vs 6.88 percent).
Published on 2020-12-14

India Inflation Rate Highest Since 2014
Annual consumer price inflation in India increased to 7.61 percent in October of 2020 from a downwardly revised 7.27 percent in September, above market expectations of 7.3 percent. It is the highest rate since May 2014, remaining above the central bank 2 percent-6 percent target range for the 7th straight month. Food inflation went up to 11.07 percent from 10.68 percent, the highest since January and ahead of the festival season. Prices of vegetables jumped 22.51 percent, egg 21.81 percent, meat and fish 18.7 percent and pulses 18.34 percent. Meantime, cost slowed for miscellaneous (6.88 percent vs 7.79 percent); transport & communication (11.16 percent vs 11.36 percent); health (5.22 percent vs 6.74 percent) and education (2.06 percent vs 3.1 percent).
Published on 2020-11-12

India Inflation Rate Highest in 8 Months
Annual consumer price inflation in India increased to 7.34 percent in September of 2020 from 6.69 percent in August, well above market expectations of 6.88 percent. It is the highest rate since January. The inflation remained above the central bank 2 percent-6 percent target range for the 6th straight month, and it is expected to average 6.8 percent in October 2020-March 2021. Food inflation went up to 10.68 percent from 9.05 percent, the highest since February and ahead of the festival season. Prices of vegetables jumped 20.73 percent, meat and fish 17.6 percent and pulses 14.67 percent. Other increases were recorded for clothing and footwear (3.04 percent vs 2.77 percent), transport (11.5 percent vs 11.1 percent) and education (2.19 percent vs 1.61 percent) while cost of fuel and light slowed slightly (2.87 percent vs 3.1 percent).
Published on 2020-10-12

India Inflation Rate Lower than Expected at 6.69%
Consumer prices in India increased 6.69 percent year-on-year in August of 2020, following a downwardly revised 6.73 percent rise in the previous month and below market forecasts of 6.85 percent. Still, the inflation remains above the central bank upper band 2 percent-6 percent target range. A slowdown was seen for food (9.05 percent v s 9.27 percent). Prices of vegetables went up 11.41 percent, pulses 14.44 percent, cereals 5.92 percent, meat and fish 16.5 percent and sugar 3.93 percent. Other increases were recorded for fuel and light (3.1 percent), clothing and footwear (2.77 percent), transport (11.1 percent) and education (1.61 percent).
Published on 2020-09-14

India Inflation Rate Above Forecasts in July
India's retail price inflation climbed to 6.93 percent year-on-year in July 2020 from an upwardly revised 6.23 percent in the previous month and easily beating market expectations of 6.15 percent. The reading remained also above the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent, as food prices continued to soar (9.62 percent vs 8.72 percent in June) due to disrupted supply chains. Additional upward pressure came from pan, tobacco and intoxicants (12.35 percent), housing (3.25 percent), clothing and footwear (2.91 percent), fuel and light (2.80 percent), and miscellaneous (6.95 percent) mainly boosted by personal care and effects (13.63 percent) and transport and communication (9.95 percent).
Published on 2020-08-13

India Inflation Rate Rises More than Expected
Consumer prices in India increased 6.09% year-on-year in June of 2020, well above market forecasts of 5.3%. Biggest increases were seen in cost of pan and tobacco (9.7%), food and beverages (7.29%), miscellaneous (5.7%), housing (3.55%), clothing and footwear (3.53%) and fuel and light (2.69%). The food alone index increased 7.87%, the least in eight months. Within food, the biggest rises were seen for cost of pulses (16.68%), meat and fish (16.22%) and spices (11.74%) while prices of fruits fell 0.68% and cost of vegetables rose 1.86% only. Figures for April and May of 2020 were released only with the June ones, as visits to collect the data were suspended from March 19th due to the coronavirus lockdown. India first imposed a coronavirus lockdown in late March and has extended it several times as the number of infections is spiking.
Published on 2020-07-13

India March Inflation Rate Revised Lower
India's retail price inflation was revised lower to 5.84 percent year-on-year in March 2020, from a preliminary estimate of 5.91 percent. That was the lowest rate since last November, as prices rose at a softer pace for food & beverages and miscellaneous, while inflation was virtually unchanged for clothing & footwear. Meanwhile, cost advanced faster for fuel & light and pan, tobacco & intoxicants. India's government did not release headline retail inflation figures for the month of April as the country has been under lockdown amid efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry of statistics said data are usually collected from 1,114 urban markets and 1,181 villages through personal visits, which have been suspended since March 19th.
Published on 2020-05-12

India Inflation Rate Eases to 4-Month Low
India's retail price inflation fell to a four-month low of 5.91 percent year-on-year in March 2020 from 6.58 percent in the previous month, and slightly below market expectations of 5.93 percent. Food & beverages prices rose at a softer pace (7.82 percent vs 9.50 percent in February), particularly due to vegetables (18.63 percent vs 31.6 percent), fruits (3.56 percent vs 4.0 percent) and pulses & products (15.85 percent vs 16.6 percent). Meanwhile, price increases accelerated for cereals & products (5.30 percent vs 5.2 percent) and milk & products (6.47 percent vs 6.1 percent). The food alone rate slowed to 8.76 percent from 10.81 percent. Meanwhile, miscellaneous prices went up at a softer pace (4.43 percent vs 4.5 percent), and inflation was virtually unchanged for housing (at 4.23 percent) and clothing and footwear (at 2.11 percent). Cost advanced faster for fuel and light (6.59 percent vs 6.4 percent) and pan, tobacco and intoxicants (4.71 percent vs 4.1 percent).
Published on 2020-04-13

India Inflation Rate Below Forecasts
Consumer price inflation in India eased to 6.58% in February of 2020 from 7.59% in the prior month, and slightly below market expectations of 6.8%. The inflation rate fell for the first time in 7 months, as food & beverages prices slowed (9.5% vs 11.8% in January), particularly cereals (5.2% vs 5.3%), vegetables (31.6% vs 50.2%), fruits (4.0% vs 5.8%) and pulses (16.6% vs 16.7%); while milk cost rose faster (6.1% vs 5.6%). The food alone rate slowed to 10.8% from 13.6%. Also, miscellaneous prices went up at a softer pace (4.5% vs 4.8%). Meanwhile, housing inflation was steady (at 4.2%) while cost advanced faster for fuel and light (6.4% vs 3.7%); clothing and footwear (2.1% vs 1.9%) and pan, tobacco and intoxicants (4.1% vs 3.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.7%, following a 0.1% drop in the precious month.
Published on 2020-03-12

India Inflation Rate Highest in Near 6 Years
Consumer price inflation in India increased to 7.59% in January of 2020 from 7.35% in December, above expectations of 7.4%. The inflation accelerated for the 6th straight month to the highest since May of 2014. Prices rose faster for fuel and light (3.7% vs 0.7% in December), miscellaneous (4.8% vs 4.1%), clothing and footwear (1.9% vs 1.5%) and pan, tobacco and intoxicants (3.6% vs 3.4%) but eased for housing (4.2% vs 4.3%). Cost of food and beverages increased at a slightly slower rate (11.8% vs 12.2%), namely vegetables (50.2% vs 60.5%) while faster increases were seen for cereals (5.3% vs 4.4%), milk (5.6% vs 4.2%), fruits (5.8% vs 4.6%) and pulses (16.7% vs 15.4%). The food alone rate slowed to 13.6% from 14.1%, which was the highest since November of 2013. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.1% after surging 1.2% in December, the most since July of 2017.
Published on 2020-02-12

India Inflation Rate Jumps to 7.3% in December
Consumer price inflation in India jumped to 7.35% in December of 2019 from 5.54% in November and well above market expectations of 6.2%. The inflation accelerated for the fifth straight month, remaining the highest rate since July of 2016. Main upward pressure came from cost of food and beverages (12.16%), namely cereals (4.36%), milk (4.22%), vegetables (60.5%), fruits (4.55%) and pulses (15.44%). The food alone rate jumped to 14.12%, the highest since November of 2013. Other increases were also seen for miscellaneous (4.09%), fuel and light (0.7%), clothing and footwear (1.5%), housing (4.3%) and pan, tobacco and intoxicants (3.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 1.2%, the highest rate since July of 2017. The Reserve Bank of India's targets inflation at 4%. The recent spike in inflation lowered chances of another rate cut in February.
Published on 2020-01-13

India November Inflation Rate Rises to Over 3-Year High
India's retail price inflation rate increased to 5.54 percent year-on-year in November 2019 from 4.62 in the previous month and compared with market expectations of 5.26 percent. It was the highest inflation rate since July 2016, above the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent, boosted by food prices.
Published on 2019-12-12

India Inflation Rate Jumps to 1-1/2-Year High
India's retail price inflation rate climbed to 4.62 percent year-on-year in October 2019, the highest in over a year, from the previous month's 3.99 percent and above market expectations of 4.25 percent. Inflation rose above the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent for the first time since July 2018, following recent cuts in interest rates.
Published on 2019-11-13

India September Inflation Rate Rises to 14-Month High
India's retail price inflation rate rose to 3.99 percent year-on-year in September 2019 from an upwardly revised 3.28 percent in the previous month and above market expectations of 3.7 percent. It was the highest inflation rate since July last year, almost touching the central bank’s medium-term target of 4 percent, as food prices rose to an over 3-year high. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.55 percent.
Published on 2019-10-14

India Inflation Rate Below Forecasts
India's annual retail price inflation rate edged up to a 10 month high of 3.21 percent in August 2019 from the previous month's 3.15 percent and missing market expectations of 3.30 percent. Inflation remained below the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent for the 13th consecutive month, despite recent cuts in interest rates.
Published on 2019-09-12

India Inflation Rate Remains Stable
India's retail price inflation rate stood at 3.15 percent year-on-year in July 2019, little-changed from the previous month's 3.18 percent and slightly below market expectations of 3.20 percent. Inflation remained below the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent for the twelfth consecutive month, despite recent interest rate cuts.
Published on 2019-08-13

India Inflation Rate Rises to 8-Month High
India's retail price inflation rate rose to 3.18 percent year-on-year in June 2019, the highest since last October, from 3.05 percent in the previous month and slightly below market expectations of 3.20 percent. Food prices were the biggest contributor to the price increase. Still, inflation remained below the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent for the eleventh consecutive month.
Published on 2019-07-12

India Inflation Rate Climbs to 7-Month High
India's retail price inflation rate rose to 3.05 percent year-on-year in May 2019 from an upwardly revised 2.99 percent in the previous month and slightly above market expectations of 3.01 percent. That was the highest rate since October last year, mainly supported by higher food prices. Still, inflation came in below the Reserve Bank of India's medium-term target of 4 percent for ten consecutive months.
Published on 2019-06-12