Cost of cigarettes up 25% compared to 2008

Analysts had predicted a 0.2 percent monthly advance, with annual inflation at 4.7-4.9 percent. The National Bank of Romania’s (BNR) inflation target is 3.5 percent (+/− 1 percentage point) for the end of the year, although its latest prognosis indicates this will be 4.3 percent at year-end. The 4.94 percent annual inflation rate is the lowest since July 2007, when annual consumer price indices were 3.99 percent. The previous lowest rate was 4.96 percent in August. Official data exceeds by little estimates made by analysts, who were expecting a monthly increase in prices of 0.2 percent, and an annual advance of 4.7-4.8 percent. September inflation rose due to an increase in non-food and service prices, by an average 0.79 and 0.51 percent, respectively. Food prices dropped 0.16 percent.