German inflation rates likely to remain steady in May, early data suggests.
According to initial numbers from the federal states, published in the morning, the nationwide annual inflation rate, which stood at 2.1 percent in April, is expected to have changed little in May.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the largest federal state, the price increase was 2.0 percent, down from 1.8 percent in the previous month. In Bavaria, the inflation rate remained at 2.1 percent, while in Hesse, it stagnated at 2.3 percent. In Lower Saxony, the inflation rate was 2.3 percent, a slight increase from the previous month’s 2.2 percent and in Baden-Württemberg, it decreased from 2.4 to 2.2 percent. In Saxony, the inflation rate dropped from 2.4 to 2.3 percent and in Brandenburg, it remained at 2.2 percent.
Based on these early indications, a nationwide inflation rate of 2.0 to 2.2 percent is expected.
The Federal Statistical Office will publish its preliminary estimate of the nationwide inflation rate later in the day, usually around 2 pm. The final numbers, however, are typically released mid-month, with any changes being a rare occurrence.