As of: February 28, 2024, 4:41 p.m
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Inflation is also noticeable in weekly shopping.
© Sina Schuldt/dpa
Inflation in Germany continues to decline.
Now fewer companies want to raise their prices.
The targeted target of an inflation rate of 2.0 percent is getting closer and closer.
Berlin - German consumers can hope for further falling inflation: fewer companies want to raise their prices in the coming months.
The corresponding barometer for price expectations fell to 15.0 points in February, after 18.8 points in January, as the Munich Ifo Institute announced on Wednesday in its company survey.
“Inflation is therefore likely to continue its decline in the coming months,” said Ifo economics chief Timo Wollmershäuser.
Price expectations in retail have increased slightly
The consumer-related sectors in particular contribute to this.
Price expectations there fell from 32.4 to 28.9 points.
Accordingly, fewer service providers in particular want to increase their prices (26.8 points, after 42.1).
Price plans fell particularly sharply in the area of accommodation (from 51.9 to 31.8 points) and in art, entertainment and culture (from 28.6 to 15.5 points).
But also in the catering industry fewer companies want to charge more money from their guests (from 65.9 to 54.0 points).
In retail, however, price expectations have increased slightly.
Food and beverage retail was the main contributor to this, while pricing plans fell slightly in other retail sectors.
In the construction industry, the barometer fell from minus 0.4 to minus 5.0 points.
“Accordingly, the majority of companies even want to lower their prices,” explained the Ifo Institute.
In the manufacturing sector, only a small majority of companies surveyed want to charge more money.
Inflation is falling - companies want to reduce prices
In January, the inflation rate in Germany fell to 2.9 percent because energy cost less.
This is the lowest level in around two and a half years.
For February, economists surveyed by the Reuters news agency predict a further decline to 2.6 percent.
In Europe, the aim is generally to achieve inflation of 2.0 percent.
The Federal Statistical Office wants to publish an initial estimate on Thursday.
(
Reuters, lf)