Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, likewise slowed to 2.8% from three percent in March. So far, it averaged 3.1% for the year.
“Contributing to the downtrend in the headline inflation in April 2020 was the further decrease in the annual rate of transport index at 6.1% [from the decline of 1.8% in March]. This was the lowest inflation recorded in this group’s index since October 2015,” the PSA said in a statement.
The PSA also noted slower annual increases in alcoholic beverages and tobacco (17.9% from 18% in March); clothing and footwear (2.6% from 2.7%); housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (0.3% from 1.1%); health (2.8% from 2.9%); communication (0.3% from 0.5%); and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services (2.4% from 2.6%).
On the other hand, the food and non-alcoholic beverages index accelerated to 3.4% in April from 2.6% in March. The food alone index also increased by 3.4% from 2.6% previously.
Price adjustments during the month were steady for furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (4.2%); recreation and culture (1.6%); and education (4.7%). – Jobo E. Hernandez
