European Annual Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices(Change)

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP, same as CPI in UK) tracks changes in the cost of living. When prices are increasing too rapidly, authorities can raise interest rates to increase the cost of borrowing. This can lead to a decline in spending and force retailers to lower prices to entice buyers. For investors, an interest rate increase means higher yields on assets denominated in the currency.

Date	Value	Previous
Apr 2012	2.60	2.70
Mar 2012	2.70	2.70
Feb 2012	2.70	2.70
Jan 2012	2.70	2.70
Dec 2011	2.70	3.00
Nov 2011	3.00	3.00
Oct 2011	3.00	3.00
Sep 2011	3.00	2.50
Aug 2011	2.50	2.60
Jul 2011	2.60	2.70