WPI inflation increases to 4.17% in February on expensive food, fuel

Wholesale price-based inflation rose to 4.17% for the second consecutive month in February as food, fuel and electricity prices rose.

WPI inflation was 2.03% in January and 2.26% in February last year.

After months of softening prices, food articles saw 1.36% inflation in February. It was (-) 2.80% in January.

The rise in the price of vegetables was (-) 2.90% in February, (-) 20.82% in January.

In February, the inflation of pulses was 10.25%, while it was 9.48%, and in the fuel and power basket it was 0.5%.

The RBI in its monetary policy last month kept interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive meeting and said the near-term inflation outlook has been favorable.

Retail inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index, was 5.03% in February, according to data released last week.