CPI surges slightly in January

VGP – The consumer price index (CPI) in January picked up 0.69% against the same period last month, the lowest increase over the last five years, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

January 24, 2014 2:29 PM GMT+7

Source: General Statistics Office

The CPI posted a month-on-month surge of 6.77%.

The CPI increase of 0.69% was relatively lower than expectation as the month boasted such long holidays as Christmas, New Year and the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet).

In addition, adjustment in retail prices of petrol and gas directly affected the CPI.

In January, ten out of 11 groups of products and services in the CPI basket witnessed price increases, excluding postal services.

Transport cost saw the sharpest price increase of 1.22% against last month.

Prices of beverage, tobacco and garments, hats and footwear soared by 0.83% and 0.89%, respectively.

The group of restaurants and food service posted a month-on-month increase of 0.77%.

Meanwhile, gold price dropped 1.82% while price of USD declined 0.06% compared to last month./.

By Kim Anh