Recent data published by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) are rather positive regarding inflation. The latter fell substantially in March. Here is what we should remember about this economic trend that is particularly followed by French financiers.
A French economy, at +0.2% inflation in March
According to the latest trends published by INSEE, the French economy recorded a new episode of slowing inflation in March. A dynamic marked by an increase in prices which remains at +2.3% on an annual basis.
INSEE explains this decline in inflation in the French economy by a moderation in the increase in the prices of food products, services and tobacco. A trend that is also observed in the field of energy and manufactured products.
This decline marks a deceleration compared to the previous month when inflation stood at +3.0%. While on a monthly basis, inflation also marked a decline, falling to +0.2% in March, compared to +0.9% in February.
However, INSEE emphasizes that the prices of manufactured products have accelerated, due to the seasonal increase in clothing prices following the winter sales. Meanwhile, prices of food and services remained stable over the month.
Key trends for investors
It must be said that these developments in inflation are of particular importance for investors. This is particularly linked to the influence that this data has on the monetary policies of central banks.
Indeed, with inflation ideally aiming at 2%, rate increase policies are generally applied to maintain this balance. Currently, this balance prevails. But any indication of a potential decline could be closely scrutinized by investors.
Note also that at the European level, the harmonized consumer price index (HICP), considered as a reference indicator, has evolved. It recorded an increase of 2.4% year-on-year in March, after an increase of 3.2% in February.
This highlights a similar dynamic of slowing inflation on a continental scale like the fluctuations observed in France. Inflation in the economy in France remains a crucial indicator for assessing the country's economic health and guiding future monetary policies.
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