Inflation rate lower than expected – although petrol prices swelled.

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The inflation rate was 1.0 percent in April – slightly lower than in March, the statistics office said Tuesday. On a monthly basis the consumer price index, CPI, remained unchanged in April, after rising 0.2 percent in March.

Analysts had expected inflation to increase 0.2 percent on a monthly basis and 1.3 percent compared to a year ago.

Lower price for electricity and package holidays contributed downwards. At the same time prices swelled for petrol, rents and transport services.

The Service Producer Price Index increased by 0.6 percent between the fourth quarter 2009 and the first quarter 2010, the statistics office said the same day. Since the first quarter 2009 the Service Producer Price Index has increased by 0.9 percent, mainly on the back of higher prices on warehousing and storage services.