Rio, October 23, 2002 (Agência Brasil – ABr) – Inflation as measured by the General Market Price Index -10 (IGP-10) rose 3.32% in October, the highest rise since March 1999, when it rose 3.51%. It was 0.92 percentage points above the September IGP-10.

Once again, wholesale prices (IPA) pushed the index upwards, rising 4.81%. The IPA is vulnerable to pressure from the dollar.

Retail prices rose 0.77%, and construction costs were up 0.72%.

The IGP-10 now is up cumulatively 13.53% for the first 10 months of 2002, and 15.45% for the last 12 months. (AB)