Inflation eases to 4.6 percent in July

Food prices were up 3.1 percent, household energy prices edged 0.4 percent higher, consumer durable prices rose by 3.8 percent and clothing prices edged down 0.2 percent.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices, was an annual 3.5 percent in July.

CPI calculated with a basket of goods and services used by pensioners stood at 4.2 percent.

In a month-on-month comparison, inflation was 0.5 percent.

Analysts told MTI that whereas inflation had slowed somewhat in July, notable inflationary pressures remained.

Peter Virovacz of ING Bank said easing inflation had been largely due to base effects and there was still significant price growth on a monthly basis.

Gabor Regos of Szazadveg noted that inflation was still above the target band, and inflationary pressures remained, even if more moderately so.

Gergely Suppan of Takarekbank said a cycle of interest rate hikes was needed, and the upside risks from second-round effects linked to commodity prices and re-invigorated demand, as well as wage pressure due to labour shortages, were substantial.

David Nemeth of K and H Bank, said CPI growth was just shy of multi-year highs and it was far from clear that inflationary pressures in the economy had eased.