24 April 2001, 12:44  German April state CPI rises

FRANKFURT, April 24 - Following are economists' reactions toconsumer price reports from two German states showing an acceleration ofinflation in April. The state of Bavaria reported consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in April foran annual rate of 2.8 percent while Baden-Wuerttemberg said pricesincreased by 0.3 percent on the month and 2.9 percent year-on-year. RAINER GUNTERMANN, DRESDNER KLEINWORTWASSERSTEIN "This doesn't look good. Inflation remains a matter ofconcern in Germany. This is a poor figure and chimes with the stoory onMonday out of Italy. But we don't really detect demand-driven inflation andthe path for domestic prices remains stable. It's again special factors like foodprices and energy prices, in particular petrol and heating oil." "But the headline outcome is that German inflation is rising and could touchthree percent in May. This is certainly not an environment in which the centralbank can cut interest rates. We expect the 'wait and see' stance to continue toJune or possibly July, because euro zone inflation will not get under twopercent before September."

© 1999-2024 Forex EuroClub
All rights reserved