January WPI inflation ebbs to -0.39% versus 0.11% in December

16 Feb 2015 Evaluate

For the first time since late 2009, the annual rate of inflation, based on monthly wholesale price index (WPI) came below 0 at -0.39% in January, as compared to 0.11% in December on the back of sharp correction in oil prices.

Street was widely expecting the inflation to inch up to 0.15% for the month under review. Meanwhile, November inflation has been revised to -0.17% from 0% earlier. Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was -1.11% compared to a build up rate of 5.23% in the corresponding period of the previous year.  Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2004-05 = 100) for the month of January, 2015 declined by 0.8% to 178.3 (provisional) from 179.8 (provisional) for the previous month.

The moderation in WPI inflation was broad based and primarily driven by lower prices of fuels and manufacturing products. Fuel & Power index, which occupies 14.91% in the overall index, declined by 2.5% to  189.7 (provisional) from 194.6  (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of aviation turbine fuel (14%), furnace oil (6%) and petrol and high speed diesel (4% each).

The index of manufactured products which contributes to majority 64.97% of the overall index weight declined by 0.3% to 154.5 from 154.9. Besides, the index of Primary Articles declined by 1.0% to 246.6 (provisional) from 249.0 (provisional) for the previous month.  Meanwhile, the index of Primary Articles declined by 1% to 246.6 from 249.0 for the previous month.


India had been struggling with high inflation in the summer - when the WPI has been hovered above 5 per cent for 14 straight months - but since oil prices began falling the index has been cooling down. The latest data comes as encouraging development for the economy as India's central bank governor won't have to look hard for green light to cut interest rates again. Raghuram Rajan slashed interest rates at an unscheduled meeting in Januaryh, but he held steady two weeks ago due to uncertainty over the direction of prices.

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