MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina's six month inflation, 3.3%.

Consumer prices in Argentina inched 0.6% in June compared to May according to the latest release from the Argentine National Statistics and Census Institute (INDEC).

With the 0.6% of June the Argentine Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the last twelve months reached 4.9%, and increased 3.3% during the first half of 2004.

The "goods" component which accounts for 53% of the basic basket of essential goods and services increased 0,6% over May and "services", which account for the remaining 47%, expanded 0,5%.

Wholesale prices in June experienced a 0,1% increase and an accumulated 8,5% in the last twelve months. In the first half of 2004 wholesale prices expanded 3.8%.

Last year consumer prices in Argentina increased 3.7% and the government is forecasting a price expansion between 9.4% and 10.5% in 2004.