Prices rose at a slower pace for: food and beverages (3.51 percent from 4.04 percent in March); housing and utilities (3.72 percent from 4.47 percent); transport (1.68 percent from 1.77 percent); health (8.91 percent from 10.34 percent); personal expenses (6.5 percent from 6.64 percent); furnishings; household equipment (0.46 percent from 1 percent); communication (1.8 percent from 2.74 percent) and education (8.12 percent from 8.3 percent). In contrast, prices went up faster for clothing (2.28 percent from 2.2 percent).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.14 percent, following a 0.25 percent rise in March and compared to market expectations of 0.16 percent. It is the lowest monthly rate in seven months. Biggest downward pressure came from electricity cost (-6.39 percent) and fuels (-1.95 percent). The decline in electricity was due to discounts made to compensate consumers for the undue payment in 2016 of an extra charge to finance the Angra III plant.