The French Consumer Price Index (CPI) clocked in at 1.3% in December, the country's statistical office, INSEE, said in a preliminary report published on Tuesday.
The figure stood unchanged compared to the November reading. The increase in consumer prices was largely driven by the cost of tobacco, which saw an 8.7% jump year-over-year. Energy prices were up 1.2% compared to the corresponding month the year before, while the cost of food remained stable on an annual basis.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices are anticipated to go up by 0.2%. The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) on all items is expected to go up by 1.8% year-on-year, advancing by 0.1 percentage points compared to last month's figure.