MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Annual inflation in Mexico likely sped up during the first half of February to its highest rate in three months, due mostly to rising energy prices, a Reuters poll showed on Tuesday.
The median forecast of 10 analysts polled was for inflation to rise to 3.88% in the first half of this month from 3.74% in the second half of January.
If the estimate proves correct, it would mark the highest level for rising consumer prices since the 4.09% inflation rate during the second half of October.
During the first two weeks of February, inflation likely edged up 0.27% compared with the second half of January.
Core inflation, which strips out volatile energy and food prices, is seen increasing by 0.22% during the first half of February, according to the poll’s median forecast.
Core annual inflation was expected to come in at 3.84%, the survey showed.
Mexican national statistics agency INEGI is set to publish the latest inflation data on Wednesday morning.
(Reporting by Miguel Angel Gutierrez; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Dan Grebler)
