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RPI rises slightly

The National Statistics Office (NSO) said that in September, the Retail Price Index went up by 0.92 per cent, reaching 107.47 from 106.49 in August.

This primarily reflected an increase of 5.70 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index due to seasonally higher prices of garments. The Food Index went up by 2.22 per cent, mainly on account of an upward movement in the price of vegetables. An increase of 1.35 per cent was registered in the Other Goods and Services Index, mainly as a consequence of costlier jewellery items.

Price rises of household appliances and furnishings underlay an increase of 0.31 per cent in the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index. Higher priced make-up articles brought about an increase of 0.29 per cent in the Personal Health and Care Index.

The Beverages and Tobacco Index rose by 0.26 per cent, mainly on account of higher prices for served beverages. A rise in the price of books caused the Recreation and Culture Index to edge up by 0.07 per cent.

Cheaper materials used for house maintenance works caused the Housing Index to go down by 0.40 per cent. The Transport and Communication Index edged down by 0.05 per cent due to seasonally lower airfares.

In September, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.30 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 2.89 per cent, NSO added.