--French preliminary Dec unadj CPI -0.1% on mo, +1.6% on yr
--French prelim adjusted Dec CPI -0.2% on mo, +1.7% on yr
--French prelim Dec harmonized CPI 0.0% on mo, +1.7% on yr
By BridgeNews
Paris--Jan. 12--French consumer prices fell an unadjusted monthly 0.1% in December, recovering from a blip up the prior month amid a slide in petroleum and food prices, according to preliminary data released Friday by national statistics institute INSEE. CPI rose 1.6% on year, dropping back below the key 2% mark identified by the European Central Bank as a worrisome inflation level.
* * * Measured on a HICP index that harmonizes the calculation of inflation across the Europe Union, French prices were flat in December and were up 1.7% on the year.
On an adjusted basis, December CPI fell 0.2% on month and rose 1.7% on year.
The figures are below analyst forecasts, and follow November's unadjusted 0.3% monthly gain and 2.2% annual rise.