Inflation is rising in the country's main capital cities.

Marli Moreira
Reporter from Agência Brasil

São Paulo - The Weekly Consumer Price Index (IPC-S) reached 0,85% in the second preliminary reading for January, a rate that is 0,12 percentage points (pp) higher than the variation measured in the first preliminary reading for January (0,73%). Five of the eight groups surveyed showed increases, with education, reading and recreation standing out, rising 2,32% compared to 1,03%.

Research conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Economics (Ibre) of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) shows that the greatest pressure was found in formal courses, with prices adjusted, on average, by 4,71% compared to 1,41%.

In miscellaneous expenses, the rate rose from 0,7% to 1,18%, still influenced by cigarettes, which became 2,35% more expensive compared to a previous increase of 1,26%. In the food group, the index showed a slight increase, rising from 1,04% to 1,08%, driven by meals eaten outside the home, which increased by 0,86%. In housing, the rate fluctuated at 0,47% compared to 0,43%, and among the main price increases in this group are electronic equipment (from 0,17% to 0,35%).

Although the Communication Group indicated a 0,03% decrease, the trend is towards a resumption of price increases, since in the previous survey, the index had fallen by 0,10%. In this case, what occurred was a recovery in prices for fixed-line telephone and internet packages. On average, the cost of these services indicates a decrease of 0,32%, but in the first preliminary data for January, it cost 0,86% less than at the end of December.

Two groups showed decreases: transportation (from 1,16% to 1,12%) with the adjustment of gasoline prices (from 3,2% to 2,3%) and clothing (from 0,37% to 0,18%).

In the health and personal care sector, the variation remained the same as in the first preliminary estimate - 0,47%. While there was an increase in the value of medical consultations (from 0,39% to 1,34%), the rate of increase in the segment of hygiene and personal care items slowed (from 0,4% to 0,3%).

The five items that contributed most to inflation during this period, from January 7th to the 15th, were: gasoline (from 3,2% to 2,3%); higher education courses (from 0,96% to 4,28%); meals in bars and restaurants (from 0,57% to 0,68%); residential rent (from 1,07% to 0,98%) and primary education courses (from 1,7% to 5,16%).