India's wholesale prices rose less-than-expected in December, after remaining unchanged in the previous month, figures from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed Wednesday.
The wholesale price index rose 0.11 percent annually, which was slower than the 0.4 percent increase predicted by economists. In November, the index remained flat.
The wholesale price inflation for October was revised to 1.66 percent from 1.77 percent.
The build-up inflation rate in the financial year so far was -0.28 percent compared to 5.58 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year, the ministry said.
In December, inflation for the primary articles group, that includes food and carries heavy weight on the WPI, climbed to 2.17 percent from -0.98 percent in November. Food articles registered a 5.20 percent increase versus a 0.63 percent rise in the previous month.
Inflation for the manufactured products segment eased to 1.57 percent from 2.04 percent.
Data from the Central Statistics Office revealed on Monday that the consumer price inflation accelerated to 5 percent in December, after easing in the previous four months to a record low of 4.38 percent in November.
Last month, the Reserve Bank of India forecast January 2015 consumer price inflation at 8 percent. The bank had said that the favorable base effect that was driving down inflation will likely dissipate and the headline figure may rise in December.
The central bank, which left rates unchanged in December, is set to review them early next month ahead of the budget due towards the end of that month. The bank signaled in December that rates are likely to be eased early this year.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com