MNI BRIEF: Fewer German Firms Looking To Hike Prices - Ifo
Consumer-facing service sector driver for lower price expectations index, Munich-based institute says.
Fewer German companies looked to increase their selling prices in February, the IFO Institute said Wednesay, suggesting a further slowing of inflationary pressures in coming months.
The IFO Price Expectation Index fell to 15.0, down from 18.8 in January, largely driven by the consumer-related sectors, where price expectations fell from 32.4 to 28.9. “This suggests that in the coming months, inflation will continue to decline,” said Timo Wollmershäuser, Head of Forecasts at ifo.
The data will further comfort the ECB ahead of its March and April policy meetings, as it looks at incoming price data to help gauge when to reverse course and start what markets expect to be its coming easing cycle. (see MNI SOURCES: ECB Cut Expectations Range From 50-100BP In 2024)
Deutsche Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel speaks at an MNI Webcast event on March 22 (see INVITE: MNI Webcast with Bundesbank's Joachim Nagel On Mar 22)