ZCZC
BCN-43
CANADA-INDICATOR-INFLATION-ECONOMY
Canada ended 2018 with 2 pct inflation: official data
OTTAWA, Jan 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Canadians paid 2.0 percent more for goods
and services in December than a year earlier, the government statistical
agency said Friday.
The figure closing out 2018 was slightly higher than economists had
forecast, after a 1.7 percent average price hike the previous month.
Statistics Canada noted higher prices in December for airfares during the
holiday season, travel tours, telephone services, restaurant meals, fresh
vegetables, and passenger vehicle insurance.
Mortgage interest costs also rose in the month.
These bigger outlays, however, were partially offset by crude oil prices
that continued to fall amid a global supply glut, pushing down gasoline
prices.
Natural gas prices also dropped, as did the cost of furniture and digital
computing equipment.
BSS/AFP/SR/1950 HRS