Hungary’s consumer prices edge up 0.1% y/y in February 2014, below expectations.

By bne IntelliNews March 12, 2014

Hungary's consumer prices edged up by 0.1% y/y in February 2014, after remaining flat y/y in January, the statistics office said. The reading was below market expectation for a 0.5% y/y growth. On a monthly basis, consumer prices in the country increased by 0.1% as well, slower than the 0.3% m/m rise in the previous month.

As in the previous month, the readings in February were largely due to the government's decision in November 2013 to cut utility prices resulting in a 16.9% y/y drop in prices of electricity, gas and other fuels.

Prices of consumer durable goods extended their downward trend, falling by 0.6% on the year in February, reflecting continued weak household demand. Prices of clothing and footwear dropped by 0.2% y/y in February, following a 0.7% y/y decrease in January. Prices of motor fuels decreased by 1.5% y/y. Food prices remained flat on the year in February.

On the other hand, prices of alcohol beverages and tobacco products rose by 8.1% y/y, easing from a 10.5% y/y hike in January. Costs of services advanced by 2.1% y/y in February, slower that the 3.1% y/y increase a month earlier.

Consumer prices, % y/y            
  Feb-13 Sep-13 Nov-13 Dec-13 Jan-14 Feb-14
TOTAL  2.8 1.4 0.9 0.4 0.0 0.1
Food 4.1 1.7 0.4 0.1 -0.2 0.0
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco 14.8 10.9 10.6 12.0 10.5 8.1
Clothing and Footwear  -0.4 -0.3 -1.2 -1.1 -0.4 -0.2
Consumer durable goods -2.3 -1.7 -1.8 -1.6 -0.8 -0.6
Electricity, gas and other fuels -7.7 -8.1 -10.3 -17.7 -16.9 -10.3
Other goods incl. motor fuels and lubricants 2.6 0.0 -0.4 0.9 -0.6 -1.5
Services  3.5 3.3 4.0 3.7 3.1 2.1
Source: KSH            

Related Articles

EBRD backs OTP Leasing to boost SME financing in Ukraine

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has stepped in to bolster financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine, providing a guarantee to OTP Leasing to the ... more

UniCredit sees modest growth and fiscal overshoot for Hungary in 2024

Hungary’s economic rebound will be modest this year, around 2%, and the return to potential growth is set to be postponed to 2025 with GDP expanding around 3.2%, according to UniCredit bank's ... more

Dismiss