STOCKHOLM: Swedish inflation slowed in November, data showed on Wednesday, undershooting forecasts and presenting a potential headache for the central bank which has said it will start hiking rates either later this month or in February.
Consumer prices measured with a fixed interest rate (CPIF), fell 0.1 percent in November from the previous month and were up 2.1 percent from the same month last year, the statistics office said.
Stripping out volatile energy prices, annual inflation was 1.4 percent.
Both the monthly and annual figures were below forecasts from the Riksbank and analysts. Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast annual CPIF inflation of 2.2 percent. The Riksbank had a 2.4 percent figure.
"The trend in inflation is going the wrong way," said Annika Winsth, chief economist at Nordea. "Nevertheless, we still think that there will be a hike in December, though that decision is hanging by a thread."
At its last meeting in October, the Riksbank said it was confident it could soon begin hiking rates for the first time in more than seven years.
In contrast to Europe, where economies appear to be losing steam, Sweden appeared to pick up pace after a weak summer.
But the soft inflation figures could mean the Riksbank plays it safe and waits until early next year to begin hiking from the current record low of -0.50 percent.
The Swedish crown eased against the euro after the inflation figures.
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