The consumer price index dipped by 0.7% in January, compared with December, and reached a level of 104.5 points, compared with 105.2 points in December, the Central Bureau of Statistics informed Monday.

The dip came as a surprise to analysts, most of whom expected a smaller decline of 0.3% to 0.5%.

The steepest declines in prices were in clothing and footwear (9.0%),new vegetables (5.9%), household maintenance (2.0%) and services for resident-owned housing (1.0%).

Categories in which prices rose most markedly were fresh vegetables (3.0%), furniture (1.4%) and transport and communications (0.2%).

In the twelve-month period between January 2009 and January 2010, the general price index rose by 3.8%. The index without fruits and vegetables rose by 3.7%. The index without housing rose 3.2% and the index without energy rose by 2.9%.

The sharper-than-expected dip in the index level could signal a moderation of the inflationary trend, and may cause the Bank of Israel to place on hold the anti-inflationary process of raising interest levels.

- humorous, Entertaining Videos --

 

Israel Hotels HAS Credit Card Arutz-Sheva Store Made in Israel Yeshivas Kabbalah Products © ,   |   Home Page  |  Contact  |  Advertise  |  Israel Tours  |  
Sites of Interest: Judaica Mall - Jewish Gifts