The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices jumped to 112.05 points in October from 110.98 in September, the NSO said this morning.

It also reported the annual rate of inflation rising to 5.8 percent last month from 4.9 percent in September and just 1.6 percent in October last year. The annual rate had also been 5.4 percent and 5.6 percent in August and July respectively.

The twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 4.4 percent,up from 4 percent in September and 0.3 percent in October last year.

The NSO said the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices increased by 1 percent over the previous month owing to an increase of 8.9 percent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to the introduction of new stocks in the market.

The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index went up by 5.8 percent, mainly on account of water and electricity tariffs.

An increase of 5.3 percent was registered in the Education Index, due to higher school and private tuition fees. Seasonal increases in the prices of fruit and vegetables caused the Food and Nonalcoholic Beverages Index to rise by 3.5 percent.

The Recreation and Culture Index went up by 0.6 percent, due to higher prices of newspapers and periodicals. Higher prices of products used for personal care and of certain types of financial services contributed to a 0.5 per cent increase in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index.

The Transport Index shifted up by 0.2 percent, mainly on account of higher prices of motor cars and road transport. A similar increase was recorded in the Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index, mainly brought about by costlier household textiles and higher fees for repairs of household appliances. The Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index moved marginally upward on account of an increase in the price of wine.

The Restaurants and Hotels Index registered a drop of 3.8 percent, seasonal price reductions in accommodation services being the main contributory factor. In October, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 4.4 percent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 5.8 percent

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