Summary
In March, the goods and services included in the Portuguese Consumer Price Index (CPI) cost on average 2.3% more than in March 2006, 0.1 percentage point (p.p.) lower than in the previous month (see figure 1).
The core inflation index, which excludes energy components and fresh unprocessed food products and intends to reflect price growth trends, rose at a lower rate than the CPI. Compared with March 2006, this index increased 1.9%, 0.4 p.p. lower than the CPI.
The CPI 12-month average rate was 2.9%. On a monthly basis, the CPI increased 1.2%, 0.1 p.p. lower than a year earlier.
In March, the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for Portugal rose 2.4% when compared with March 2006, 0.1 p.p. higher than the previous month. The HICP increased 1.3% between February and March 2007. The HICP 12-month average rate was 2.9%, 0.1 p.p. lower than in the previous month.
