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Japan inflation likely cooled in Feb on energy subsidy resumption

Japan's core inflation likely decelerated in February from the previous month due to the resumption of energy subsidies, a Reuters poll showed, though the overall price trends will likely keep policymakers on track to raise rates again this year. The core consumer price index (CPI), which includes oil products but excludes fresh food prices, was expected to have risen 2.9% in February from a year earlier, a poll of 18 economists showed on Friday. "Although the growth in the price of oil products is expected to continue to accelerate, the impact of the resumption of subsidies on electricity and city gas prices is expected to be stronger," said analysts at SMBC Nikko Securities.

Japan's core inflation likely decelerated in February from the previous month due to the resumption of energy subsidies, a Reuters poll showed, though the overall price trends will likely keep policymakers on track to raise rates again this year. The core consumer price index (CPI), which includes oil products but excludes fresh food prices, was expected to have risen 2.9% in February from a year earlier, a poll of 18 economists showed on Friday.

"Although the growth in the price of oil products is expected to continue to accelerate, the impact of the resumption of subsidies on electricity and city gas prices is expected to be stronger," said analysts at SMBC Nikko Securities..