Euro area CPI inflation dips in March, core prices steady

(Sharecast News) - The cost of living in the euro area rose a bit more slowly last month, as energy prices fell back. According to Eurostat, in seasonally adjusted terms the euro area Consumer Price Index jumped at a month-on-month pace of 0.6% in March.

In annual terms meanwhile, CPI was ahead by 2.2% or one tenth of a percentage point less than during the previous month.

The annual rate of gain in core CPI on the other hand, which excludes food, energy, alcohol and tobacco prices, was steady at 2.4%.

Both the headline and core CPI readings were in line with economists' forecasts.

When compared to the prior month, energy prices fell by 1.4%, helping to offset a 1.9% jump in those of non-energy industrial goods.

That compared to a 1.1% rise during the same month one year before.

Services prices were up by a tamer 0.4% on the month.

Food, alcohol and tobacco prices increased by 0.3%.--

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