French inflation slows marginally as initially estimated in March

French statistical office Insee on Thursday confirmed that inflation in France slowed marginally as initially estimated. France's consumer price index rose 1.1 percent year-over-year in March, following a 1.2 percent climb in February. That was in line with the flash data published by INSEE on March 31.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.6 percent in March, confirming the flash data, after a 0.1 percent rise in the prior month. The EU-harmonised measure of inflation (HICP) rose at a stable rate of 1.4 percent annually in March. Month-on-month, the HICP went up 0.7 percent. The figures confirmed preliminary estimate.

Sharp deceleration in food and energy price inflation was the main reason behind the slowdown. Data showed that food inflation halved to 0.8 percent from 1.6 percent in the previous month and energy prices climbed 9.9 percent after rising 11.4 percent in the prior month.