Uruguay's consumer prices' index increased 0.82% in October, and 8.67% in the last twelve months but 9.09% in the first ten months of the year, according to the latest release from the country's Stats Office, INE.
The IMF raised its 2013 economic growth forecast for Uruguay, but lowered its estimates for 2014, saying growth had moderated to a more sustainable pace after a decade of strong expansion.
Uruguay’s inflation in August kept climbing and reached 1.04%, totalling 6.74% in the first eight months of the year and 8.86% in the last twelve months, which is well above the Central bank target of 4% to 6%, according to the latest report from the local Statistics Office, INE.
Consumer prices in Uruguay during May increased 0.32% and 8.06% in the last twelve months which is still above the annual top target range of 6%, but on the positive side for the fourth month running inflation has been decreasing, according to the latest release from the stats office INE.
Fitch Ratings in March joined two other major ratings agencies in giving Uruguay its coveted investment grade, a move that lowers the nation’s borrowing costs and opens up opportunities for new investors.
Uruguay’s GDP expanded 3.9% last in 2012 over the previous year despite a slight contraction in the fourth quarter, according to a late Wednesday release from the Central bank. The bank’s original estimate was 4%. In 2011 the economy grew a revised 6.5%.
Uruguay’s central bank surprised the market by keeping on hold the benchmark interest rate at 9.25% after increases at the two previous monetary policy meetings failed to slow inflation, one of the country’s main concerns.
The Uruguayan economy expanded between 3% and 3.5% last year which is below the 5.7% of 2011, mostly because of a serious drought and a deteriorating world situation, advanced the country’s Central bank president Mario Bergara.
Uruguay finally managed on Thursday to achieve investment grade debt rating from the three major agencies when Fitch raised the country’s rating to BBB-minus from BB-plus, citing economic resilience as well as the political and social stability of the country, squeezed between Brazil and Argentina.
Uruguay's central bank announced on Wednesday it will raise marginal reserve requirements on local and foreign currency deposits from April 1 as part of its effort to bring inflation within the official target range, which has been missed in the last three years.