Romania’s Mar CPI + 0.2% On Mo, +4.2% On Yr

The consumer price index rose 0.2% in March, in line with market forecasts of a monthly inflation between 0.1% and 0.3%. Analysts estimated the annual inflation would slow to 4.1%-4.3%, from a rate of 4.5% recorded in February.

Food prices inched up 0.2% on the month in March, while prices of non-food products rose 0.4%, due mainly to a 2% increase in fuel prices. Service prices were down a modest 0.1% on the month.

The harmonized index of consumer prices, or HICP, stood at 5% at the end of March, from 5.3% the month before.

Romania’s central bank targets an annual inflation of 3.5% in 2010, with one percentage point variation band around the target.