IPC-S presents variation of 0.43% in inflation

The Weekly Consumer Price Index (IPC-S) increased by 0.43% and accumulated an increase of 3.37% in the last 12 months. The calculation shows that, of the eight expense classes that make up the index, two registered a decrease in their rates of change: Transport and Housing. The rise was driven by Transport, which rose from 1.47% to 0.70%. It is worth mentioning the performance of gasoline, whose price changed by 1.84% compared to 4.40% in the previous edition of the IPC-S.

Housing had 0.75% and dropped to 0.57%. It is also worth highlighting the behavior of the residential electricity tariff item, which had a rate of 2.10% and dropped to 1.05%. Economist Alessandro Azzoni explains which factors influenced the result in March. “This variation was the result of the drop in the exchange rate due to policies and the results in the American economy, the issue of appreciation of the real with the fiscal policies that are being suggested by the federal government. This made the dollar cheaper and the cost of these raw materials, which are quoted, reduces the price”.

Different from the Transport and Housing items, the Food, Education, Reading and Recreation, Health and Personal Care, Communication and Clothing groups showed an increase in their rates. The economist explains that the variation is influenced directly and indirectly by the international scenario, but that there are optimistic expectations for the coming months if the appreciation of the real is considered. “We have an advantage that the real is appreciating. This is a good scenario, because part of the raw material that comes from abroad ends up not being impacted as much by the exchange variation as we had with the dollar at R$5.60, as we had last year. Now at R$5 or below R$5, the cost price is already starting to decrease. Goods already have a positive impact on cost price reduction”.

The rate of change of the Miscellaneous Expenses group repeated the last recorded rate of 0.17%. The items that most influenced this group were: the council and class association; and food for pets. The next calculation will be released in early May.