Weekly SPI inflation down 1.25pc

ISLAMABAD: The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based inflation ended March 26 for the combined consumption group witnessed a decrease of 1.25 percent as compared to the previous week, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

SPI for the week under review in the abovementioned group was recorded at 128.10 points against 129.72 points registered in the previous week, it added. The weekly SPI with the base year 2015/16=100 is covering 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

SPI for the lowest consumption group up to Rs17,732 witnessed 0.22 percent decrease, as it went down to 133.39 points during the week under review from 133.69 points last week. SPI for the combined consumption group witnessed an increase of 11.86 percent, while, for the lowest group, it increased 12.52 percent, the data showed.

Meanwhile, SPI for the consumption groups from Rs17,733 to Rs22,888, Rs22,889 to Rs29,517, Rs29,518 to Rs44,175 and above Rs44,175/month also decreased 0.51 percent, 0.71 percent, one percent and 1.66 percent, respectively.

Of the 51 items, prices of 19 items increased, five items prices decreased, while prices of the remaining 27 items remained unchanged.