French inflation accelerates as estimated 

Paris, Aug. 12, (dpa-AFX/GNA) - France’s consumer price inflation accelerated as initially estimated in July amid higher energy and food prices, the latest data from the statistical office Insee showed on Friday. 

Consumer price inflation rose to a new record high of 6.1% in July from 5.8% in June. That was in line with flash data published on July 29. 

The upward trend in inflation was largely driven by a 28.5% surge in energy costs. This was followed by a 6.8% gain in food prices. 

Service prices were 3.9% higher in July compared to the previous year, which was attributed to summer sales. 

On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.3% in July, after a 0.7% increase in the prior month, as estimated. 

EU harmonized inflation also rose to a fresh record high of 6.8% in July from 6.5% in June. The figures matched the flash estimate. 

The latest inflation was the highest since records began in 1997, the statistical office said. Month-on-month, the HICP increased 0.3% in July, following a 0.9% rise in June, in line with the previous estimate. 

GNA