Inflation rises to 1.3% in March - ISTAT

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 29 - Italy's inflation rate rose to 1.3% in March according to preliminary estimates released by ISTAT on Friday.
    The increase comes after annual inflation remained stable at 0.8% in February, the same level as January.
    ISTAT said the national consumer price index for the entire collectivity (NIC), gross of tobacco products, increased by 0.1% on a monthly basis and by 1.3% on an annual basis, The national statistics agency added that core inflation, net of energy goods and fresh food, rose from +2.3% to +2.4%, while core inflation net of energy goods alone decelerated from +2.6% to +2.5%.
    ISTAT also said Friday the annual increase in so-called 'shopping trolley' prices slowed to +3% in March from +3.7% in February.
    The increase in prices of food, household and personal care items slowed from +3.4% in February to +3% in March and in those of products with high purchase frequency slowed from +2.8% in February to +2.7% in March.
    Prices of unprocessed food products also slowed in March , falling to +2.6% from +4.4%, as did tobacco prices, dropping from +2.6% to +1.9%. (ANSA).