Spanish inflation falls as energy prices tumble

MADRID: Spain reported Monday a fall in annual inflation in April as energy costs tumbled in the recession-hit economy.

Consumer prices over the year to April climbed just 1.5 percent, after a 2.6-percent advance the previous month, according to preliminary data from the National Statistics Institute.

When compared to March, prices were up just 0.1 percent.

Falling fuel and electricity prices dragged down the annual inflation rate, which was adjusted to smooth out the impact of seasonal blips, the institute said.

Spain's inflation rate shot higher after the government raised the sales tax in September last year so as to boost revenues and help curb the annual public deficit.