The Weekly Consumer Price Index (IPC-S) for January 22, 2019 rose 0.58% – 0.06 percentage point (p.p.) below the rate recorded in the last report.

Five of the eight expense categories that comprise the index recorded higher price variation rates. The main driver behind this trend was the Education, Reading and Recreation group (1.73% to 2.28%). One of the highlights in this expense category was the formal courses item, varying from 2.80% to 4.23%.

The Transport (-0.19% to -0.05%), Housing (0.35% to 0.42%), Communication (0.06% to 0.14%), and Miscellaneous Expenses (0.19% to 0.27%) groups also recorded higher rates. The following items stand out in these expense categories: urban bus fare (0.73% to 1.41%), household power bill (-0.59% to -0.25%), landline phone and internet packages (0.35% to 0.68%), and notary office (1.34% to 1,89%).

On the other hand, the Health and Personal Care (0.55% to 0.41%), Food (0.98% to 0.94%), and Clothing (0.11% to 0.03%) groups showed lower variation rates. The highlights in these expense classes were personal care and hygiene items (1.26% to 0.62%), vegetables (6.40% to 4.51%), and clothing (0.38% to 0.08%).

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